Variations of body measurements as growth indicators in bullocks and heifers of Czech Pied and Limousin breeds and their crossbreds

Seventeen body measurements were investigated that characterize the growth and muscling of bullocks and heifers of Czech Pied (C) and Limousin (Li) br eeds and their crossbreds. Measurements were determined at the age of 120, 210 and 365 days. The data were statistically processed by a linear model o f SAS statistic program. It was demonstrated for most body measurements at the age of 120 days that the highest average values were recorded in bulloc ks and heifers of the same genotype. Bullocks and heifers of Limousin breed had the highest average values of front and middle width of pelvis, of fro nt and rear width of loins measured with a pair of compasses and of front a nd rear width of loins measured with a tape. Taped length of leg, girth of chest at sacrum, direct and taped body length, height at withers and at sac rum and diagonal body length were highest in bullocks and heifers of C x Li crossbreds. The highest average values of rear width of pelvis, half-circu mference of thighs and girth of chest were determined in C x Li bullocks an d Li heifers; C x Li bullocks and C heifers had the largest metacarpal circ umference. The lowest average values of all body measurements (except metac arpal circumference) were determined in bullocks of C breed. Heifers had th e lowest average values of most body measurements in C breed, but the avera ge values of direct, taped and diagonal body length and metacarpal circumfe rence were lowest in Li breed. Bullocks and heifers were found to have the highest average values for the same genotype at 210 days of age. All body m easurements determined on loins, taped leg length, girth of chest, girth of chest at sacrum, direct body length, taped body length, height at withers and at sacrum, diagonal body length and metacarpal circumference were large st in bullocks and heifers of C x Li crossbreds. The half-circumference of thighs in bullocks and heifers was largest in Li breed while the taped leng th of leg had the same value in Li bullocks and C x Li bullocks. The highes t average values of front and middle width of pelvis were determined in C x Li bullocks and C heifers, the highest average value of rear width of pelv is was recorded in C x Li bullocks and Li heifers. Li breed had the lowest average values of most body measurements in bullocks and heifers. The circu mference of thighs, taped length of leg and rear width of pelvis were small est in bullocks and heifers of C breed. Front width of loins measured with a pair of compasses was smallest in C bullocks and Li heifers. Bullocks and heifers had the highest average values for different genotypes at 365 days of age. The highest average values of middle width of pelvis, rear width o f loins measured with a pair of compasses, taped length of leg, girth of ch est, girth of chest at sacrum, taped body length, height at withers and at sacrum, and diagonal body length were determined in C x Li bullocks and C h eifers, the highest average values of rear width of pelvis were found in Li bullocks and C heifers. Front width of pelvis, direct body length and meta carpal circumference were largest in bullocks and heifers of C breed while front width of loins measured with a pair of compasses, front and rear widt h of loins measured with a tape and half-circumference of thighs were large st in C x Li bullocks and heifers. The lowest average values of most body m easurements were determined in bullocks and heifers of Li breed. Half-circu mference of thighs was smallest in bullocks and heifers of C breed, rear wi dth of pelvis was smallest in. C bullocks and Li heifers. The above results document heterosis effect at 120 and 210 days of age for the size of body frame in crossbred bullocks and heifers. Heterosis effect at 365 days of age was obvious mainly in C x Li bullocks, but not in C x Li heifers. It follows from statistical data processing that the highest growth rate was observed in crossbred bullocks and heifers unt il 120 days of age. Li breed had the higher growth rate than C breed in tha t period. The highest growth rate between 120 and 210 days of age was deter mined in crossbred bullocks and heifers. Li breed had the lowest growth rat e of bullocks and heifers at the age of 210 to 365 days if compared with Cz ech Pied cattle and crossbreds - the lowest values of almost all body measu rements were recorded in bullocks and heifers of Li breed. Only the half-ci rcumference of thighs was smallest in bullocks and heifers of Czech Pied br eed. The highest growth rate at that period was determined in bullocks-cros sbreds and in heifers of C breed.