Performance survey of Simmentaler male calves in Mexico

Abstract

Since the first Simmentaler cattle from the United States to Mexico were imported,  almost no information on the performance of this race of animals was published. In  this study 43 male calves of Simmentaler race, chosen from 15 different farms in north east Mexico, were used in a performance experiment. The mean body weight gain  amounted to 1.65 kg. The weight of animals at beginning of experiment had no effect  on the daily body weight gain (P < 0.05). Indices of meat production showed statistically  significant correlation (P < 0.05) with indices of the slaughter values. The heavier animals showed a tendency towards higher fat portion (r= 0.52). The meat and fat portions showed a correlation of r= 0.49. The total points of the spenns evaluation test showed negative correlation with the final weight where r= —0.42, with the index  "365-day-weight“ where t= -0.26, with the meat portion where r= -0.37 and with the fat portion where r= -0.34. In contrast the index of testicular sac circumference gave a positive correlation with the final weight where r= 0.74, with the index, 365-day-weight“ where r= 0.41, with the meat portion where r= 0.60 and with the fat portion where r= 0.43. The testicular sac circumference gave a negative correlation where (r= -0.49) with the evalutaion of  the sperm cells. Some aspects of the Simmentaler bull-calves and of the Mexican cattle are mentioned here.