Growth performance is one of the characteristics that should be considered and evaluated in a crossbreeding program. This study evaluated the growth performance of newly introduced Belgian Blue cattle and their crossbred to local cattle (Brahman, Friesian Holstein, and Ongole Grade). In this study, the growth performance data of 151 heads of Belgian Blue (BB, n=9), BB x Brahman (BB-B, n=94), BB x Friesian Holstein (BB-FH, n=24), and BB x Ongole Grade (BB-OG, n=24) were collected for analysis. The effects of different genotypes were tested using one-way variance analysis, followed by Duncan’s multiple range test. The parameters analyzed were body weight (BW), chest circumference (CC), body length (BL), and shoulder height (SH) at birth, weaning (205 days), and yearling (365 days). The principal component analysis was performed to find the specific identifier characteristic among the genotypes. As a result, BB cattle’s BW, CC, and BL were superior at birth compared to the crossed genotype. However, these excellences did not persist in weaning and yearling. The PCA analysis showed that the identifier characteristics for the BB, BB-B, and BB-FH cattle were BW at birth, BW205+CC205, and BL205, respectively. These findings are essential for future development and crossbreeding program policy of the Belgian Blue cattle in Indonesia.
Keywords | Belgian Blue, crossbred, Indonesia, local, cattle, growth performance