Body dimensions of primiparous Bali cattle (Bibos sondaicus) supplemented with concentrate at their first three month of pregnancy

Abstract

This study was undertaken to compare body dimensions between primiparous Bali cattle that were supplemented with concentrate or no concentrate at their first three month of pregnancy reared by smallholder farmers in Petang, Badung, Bali Province. Twenty primiparous Bali cattle that were fed with forage divided into two groups i.e. supplemented with concentrate (Rwc) and no concentrate (Rnc) from May to July 2018 using Completely Randomized Design. Body weight, body length, chest circumference, height at withers and rump width were measured every fortnight. Results showed that ADG of primiparous Bali cattle (Rwc) were significantly heavier (P<0.01) being 0.47±0.02 kg compared to 0.19±0.02 kg of primiparous Bali cattle (Rnc). Chest circumference, body length and rump width of those Rwc were also significantly higher (P<0.01) being 153.3±0.5 cm, 112.1±0.3 cm and 45.2±0.2 cm, respectively compared to those Rnc being 151.2±0.6 cm, 108.9±0.3 cm and 44.0±0.2 cm, respectively. High correlations (P<0.01) were found between chest circumference and body length of primiparous Bali cattle (Rwc), R 2 =0.911, between chest circumference and body weight R 2 =0.648 and between body length and body weight R 2 =0.591. In summary, it is strongly suggested to feed concentrate particularly at the first three month of pregnancy of primiparous Bali cattle.