1999 Volume 42 Pages 5-11
This study was conducted to evaluate the growth characteristics of fattening single-calf heifers of Japanese Black.Four single-calf heifers (SH) and 3 adult none-calf heifers (AH) were fattened for 5 months. Six young heifers (YH) were engaged in the fattening course from 10-to 25-month old, and incorporated into this study for the last 5 months. Body weight, height and length, chest and trunk girths, shoulder, chest and thurl widths were measured monthly, and relative growth rates of body dimensions were compared among the 3 heifer groups using the growth coefficients of the 7 measured items to the body weight. In spite of smaller body weights, SH and AH obtained a larger body weight than YH by the end of the fattening period.Average daily gain during the fattening period was 1.33, 1.06 and 0.49kg, in SH, AH and YH, respectively. The body weight gain in SH and AH was associated with the growth of chest and trunk girths, shoulder, chest and thurl widths. On the other hand, the growth of chest and trunk girths and chest width was related to the body weight gain in YH. The growth of body height and length was very little and never contributed to body weight gain in all 3 groups. From these results, it is suggested that SH shows a remarkable growth based on the growth of body width, and could reach a marketable final body weight after only 5 months of fattening.
