Influence of Terminal Age of Weighing on Growth Curve Parameters in N'dama Cattle

Abstract

Ahunu, B.K. and Osei-Amponsah, R. 1996. Influence of terminal age of weighing on growth curve parameters in N'dama cattle. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 10: 49–58.

The effects of year, season of birth and age on growth curve parameters of the Brody's model in N'dama cattle were studied. Year effects and both linear and quadratic terms of age fitted as covariates were significant (P>0.01) for all the three growth parameter estimates A, B and K. Mean estimates of the three parameters stabilized at slightly different ages. However, based on estimates of rate of maturing and closeness of fit, growth parameters may be derived after 55 months as reported (4.5 years) for Angus cattle. Also strong negative correlations between A and K suggested that early maturing animals were less likely to attain heavy mature weights.

Key words:

• N'dama cattle
• growth curves
• age