Normal Growth from Birth to Yearling Age of Transhumant “Baggara” Cattle of Nuba Mountains Region in Sudan

Abstract

Data collected on “Baggara” cattle, owned by transhumant tribesmen at Nuba Mountains of 
Western Sudan, were used to study the growth pattern of calves and to investigate the effects of 
sex, sire, year and season of birth on growth of these calves from birth to yearling age. The mean 
(± SE) birth, 205-d, and 365-d weights for male calves were 18.4±0.3, 70.5±0.7 and 90.6±0.8 kg, 
respectively. The corresponding values for the females were 17.2±0.3, 64.4±0.6 and 84.0±0.8 kg, 
respectively. The pre-weaning ADG were 0.25±0.05 and 0.23±0.04 kg for males and females, 
respectively, and the corresponding post-weaning ADG for the two sexes were 0:19 and 0.18 kg 
respectively. Sex had a significant effect (P< 0.05) on birth, weaning, and yearling weights, and 
on pre-weaning ADG. Male calves were born heavier at birth, weaning and yearling ages and 
had higher pre-weaning ADG. Male and female calves were similar in post-weaning ADG. Sire 
effect was significant on birth weight (P< 0.01) but had no effect on weaning and yearling 
weights and on pre-and post-weaning ADG (P> 0.05). Year of birth had an effect (P< 0.01) on 
weaning and yearling weights and on pre-weaning ADG (P< 0.01) and post-weaning ADG (P< 
0.05). Season of birth had an effect (P< 0.05) on birth weight, but no effect (P> 0.05) on weaning 
and yearling weights and on pre-and post-weaning ADGs.