Phenotypic Characterization of Sudan Zebu Cattle (Baggara Type)

摘要

The phenotypic characteristics of the two numerically important Baggara zebu cattle of Sudannamely Nyalawi and Mesairi sub-types were investigated. The Nyalawi sub-type was found to have asignificantly (p<0.01) heavier weight and large frame size at all age points studied. The hump size wasfound to increase significantly (p<0.05) with age in Nyalawi than in Mesairi cattle sub-type. Thesephenotypic features suggested that Nyalawi cattle sub-type was later maturing than Mesairi cattle sub-type.The superior phenotypic characteristics of Nyalawi cattle sub-type over Mesairi cattle furnish a strong basefor genetic improvement of the beef production potential of this zebu cattle type. The heart girth aroundhump gave significantly (p< 0.01; r2 = 0.9) high correlation coefficient with the live weight and a linearregression line having an R2 of 0.82 which gave more confidence in using the developed equation (Y =3.54X – 322.63) for prediction of live weight of this zebu cattle type.