Variation of Body Measurements in Borgou Cattle Breed in North Benin, West Africa

Abstract

Studying body development in animals is an essential component for improving their production. The objective of this study was to study body measurements with regard to sex and age in Borgou cattle breed reared at the Okpara Breeding Farm. Data were collected on 244 animals (including 114 males and 120 females) distributed in 0-6, 6-12, 12-24, 24-36, 36-48 and >48 months classes. Data were compared using Student t-test in R software. The results showed that age had a very significant effect (p<0.001) on all measurements. For age groups 0-6, 6-12, 12-24 and >48 months, males presented higher values for body measurements ​​than females on the measurements (p<0.05). However, for 24-36 months, the values ​​of measurements such as Height at the withers, Height at the sacrum, Distance from the Head until the Ischium, Body length, Head length, Pelvic width, Head width, and Chest Perimeter were higher in females (p<0.05). Over 48 months, only the values ​​obtained for Pelvic width were significantly higher in females (p<0.001). The results of this study can be used in selection and genetic improvement processes of Borgou cattle to improve the contribution of cattle farming to agricultural GDP in Benin.