Evaluation of Baggara Calves Performance Under Traditional System in West Kordofan State, Sudan

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate performance of Baggara claves in West Kordofan State, Sudan. Forty eight calves were selected from the herd of Baggara cattle. The calves were weighed and divided into four groups A, B, C and D, each group comprised of (12) calves according to their dams parity order as first, 2nd , 3rd and 4th parity in complete randomized design. F test and Duncan’s were used for data analysis and mean separation. All calves were raised on natural grazing. Analysis of variance showed that calves birth weight was significantly (p<0.05) affected by parity, with mean birth weights were 21.33 ± 2.65, 23.03 ±2.35 , 26.82 ± 4.15 and 28.30 ± 3.40 Kg for calves born in group A, B, C and D respectively. Calves birth weight significantly (p<0.05) affected by gender of claves. Male calves scored higher weight compared with female calves, male (31.50±1.51kg) and female (25.25 ±2.63kg) calves had high weight at birth. Weaning weight, daily gain, growth rate and mortality rate were significant (p<0.05) influence by parity and calves gender. The high (p<0.05) growth rate was obtained for calves born in group D. In conclusion, Baggara calves that depended on natural grazing showed better production and reproduction performance with advance of parity order.