Biometria de diferentes categorias de machos e fêmeas do composto bovino São Marcos

Abstract

Morphological evaluation plays a fundamental role in the evolution and genetic development of beef cattle. The present work was performed at São Marcos Ranch, located on the banks of the Chopin River, Dois Vizinhos, PR, Brazil. In this study we collected the morphometric data of animals from a Bos taurus bovine compound (½Marchigiana + ½Aberdeen Angus) reared exclusively on pasture (cynodon sp) with mineral supplementation: 8 female calf (FC), 10 young heifers (YH), 9 old heifers (OH), 11 adult cows (AC), 10 male calf (MC), 5 young bulls (YB) and 10 adult bulls (AB). Body weight in kg was 671.3 (AB), 570 (AC), 388.2 (YB), 450.9 (OH), 352.4 (YH), 206.9 (MC) and 196 (FC). Four measurements were chosen: body length (BL), animal height (H), chest perimeter (CP) and rump width (RW), the results of these measurements are presented in centimeters. For BL the measurements were 170.5 (AB), 161.6 (AC), 133.9 (YB), 150.6 (OH), 142.7 (YH), 108.9 (MC) and 108,8 (FC). For H the measurements were 140.2 (AB), 134 (AC), 125.7 (YB), 131.4 (OH), 129.8 (YH), 112.6 (MC) and 112 (FC). For CP the measurements were 213.9 (AB), 202.1 (AC), 179 (YB), 188.4 (OH), 172.7 (YH), 143.6 (MC) and 141.7 (FC) For RW the measurements were 56.2 (AB), 54.8 (AC), 43.5 (YB), 49.9 (OH), 44.4 (YH), 33.7 (MC) and 34.2 (FC). The animals of the Bos taurus bovine composite -São Marcos have biometric measurements typical of brevilinous animals, with medium height, good body length, thick body and good depth, fitting as medium to large animals, characteristic of paternal animals. The measurement “body volume”has a high correlation with body weight, and because its measurement reflects high circulatory, respiratory anddigestive capacity and carcass precocity, can be used as a biometric criterion for selection. The animals of the compound São Marcos grow linearly until 3 years, afterthis occurs astabilization untiladult weight. Body measurements as body length, chest perimeter (males), groin perimeter (females), animal height and rumpwidth are easily and accurately obtained and are highly correlated with body weight and body volume. A paternal European bull to be field-functional must be balanced at 36 months of age and in good body condition, its measurements shall be: 820 kg of weight, 180 cm of BL, 230 cm of CP, 140 cm of H, 60 cm for RW and SC (scrotal circumference) of 42 cm. Thus, the stand bull is long, broad, deep, with great muscularity, corrected foreskin, great scrotal circumference and with correct legs and feet.