The prediction of live weight in Boer goats at Neudamm farm using linear body mesurements

Abstract

Abstract provided by author

This study was designed to develop prediction equations for estimating live weight in Boer goats at Neudamm Agricultural College using linear or morphometric body measurements. These body measurements included body length (BL), heart girth (HG) and height at withers (HAW); and were collected individually for individual animals (25 males; 77 females). Multiple regression was used to fit live weight (LW), BL, HG and HAW. The body length, heart girth and height at with were fitted as independent variables and the live weight was fitted as the dependent variable. The HG, BL and HAW were all associated with live weight; however, the heart girth was the most reliable in developing prediction equations for the both sexes. The regression equation for females included HG and BL (R2 = 0.9); and for males included HG and HAW (R2 = 0.9). HG is a reliable indicator of body weight in Boer goats. The twinning percentage for the Boer goats at Neudamm farm between 2000 and 2005 was 49, which is a bit lower than the standard or acceptable twinning percentage, which is above 50 for Boer goats. This could be due to the lack of reliable data and records. The mortality for the females was calculated to be 9.7and for males it was calculated to be 8.3. It was concluded that live weight of Boer goats could be estimated in the fields using linear (morphometric) body measurements obtained with a measuring tape.