Abstract

MARTINS, C.E.N. et al. Shape and function in braford cows: the body shape as an indicative of performance and temperament. Arch. zootec. [online]. 2009, vol.58, n.223, pp.425-433. ISSN 1885-4494.

The objective of this work was to seek for tools to aid producers when selecting cows more adapted to the environmental conditions and that present much docile temperament. With this purpose, eleven body measures of 84 Braford cows were taken and were adopted as indexes of efficiency (EP) and of the more probable maternal ability (HMMP). To classify the temperament of the animals a temperament score was used and, also, the time that the animal took to travel a distance of 6.5 m after it was released from the restraining chute. It was observed that the animals of big body size performed better in the studied environment, differing from the groups of medium and small body size, for HMMP (p= 0.04) and from the group of small body size, for EP (p= 0.01). There was a positive and highly significant correlation between the body measures and the productive indexes adopted in this work, except for three measures: hip length, withers and hip heights. It was observed that, on animals with hair whorl (independently of the type) above the line of the eyes, there is a high percentage of agitated individuals when compared to animals with whorls on the line of the eyes and animals without whorls (p<0.01). The body measures and the position of facial hair whorl can constitute a tool to aid the producer when selecting which is the most appropriate biotype for the specific production system.

Keywords : Productive efficiency; More probable maternal ability; Body measures; Hair whorl.

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