Abstract
The early growth performance of Santa Gertrudis, Jamaica Red and Guernsey crossbred calves was analysed, as measured by body weights at birth and at three, six and nine months of age and average daily weight gains. The data were collected over a period of six years. The main purpose was to study difference in growth of calves due to type of breeding. Constants were also fitted for year of birth, herd, age of dam, sex and year x cross and sex x cross interactions. Differences due to type of breeding were statistically significant for birth weight only. The mean birth weights were 35·6, 32·0 and 29·3 kg for calves of Santa Gertrudis, Jamaica Red and Guernsey breeding, respectively.
