Resumo

GONZALEZ-STAGNARO, Carlos et al. Pre-weaning Growth of Dual Purpose Bovine Females. Rev. Cient. (Maracaibo) [online]. 2006, vol.16, n.3, pp.288-296. ISSN 0798-2259.

Pre-weaning growth of bovine female replacements incorporated to the Medicine Production and Reproductive Control Program was evaluated. A total of 2,511 data from 18 dual purpose farms, located on the basin of the Maracaibo Lake, at Zulia state, Venezuela, was analyzed. The effect of zone (El Laberinto, Perija, Costa Oriental del Lago, Sur del Lago), breed predominance (Holstein, Brown Swiss, Brahman, Carora), management system: improved (SM) and traditional (ST) and birth season (January-March, April-June, July-September, October-December) on age (ED), weight (PD) and daily weight gain (GDP) at weaning, as well as, its interactions were studied. For statistical analysis, Proc GLM of SAS software was used. In SM, the ED and PD were 9.7 ± 0.1 m and, 162.2 ± 1.1 kg, with GDP 11.8% (54.9 g/d) higher than in ST (P < 0.001). Perija zone had lower ED (9.3 ± 0.2 m) and higher PD (179.0 ± 0.9 kg) (P < 0.001). Both breed predominance x zone (P < 0.001) and breed predominance x management system interactions (P < 0.001) affected PD, been higher in Brown Swiss in Perija and El Laberinto (184.3 ± 2.2 kg. and 168.9 ± 2.9 kg). Also, season of birth x zone interaction, affected ED, PD and GDP (P < 0.001). The environment-genotype relationship had an influence on growth that showed to be significant and of great variability. Therefore, it is relevant to consider management and control of growth to optimize reproductive and productive performance of bovine females.

Palavras-chave : Production medicine; pre-weaning weight; yearling calves; season.