Factors affecting birth weight and body weights at 3, 6 and 12 months in Friesian x Bunaji Zebu calves

Calving records for the years 1984-1989 were studied to determine the influence of rearing method, sex of calf, season of birth, dam breed and year of birth on birth weight and growth performance to yearling in Friesian x Bunaji crossbred calves. Sex of calf had a significant effect, with male calves being heavier (P<0.05) at birth and at 3 and 6 months than female calves. Year of birth had a highly significant effect (P<0.001) on calf birth weight and weights at 3, 6 and 12 months. The influence of rearing method, season of birth and dam breed on birth weight and calf growth performance were generally not significant except in body weights at 6 months, where seasonal effects were significant (P