Evaluation of Temperament and Morphometric Traits in White Fulani and Simmental X Sokoto Gudali Cattle

Abstract

The study was undertaken to assess the temperament traits associated with handling
activities and morphometric traits in two genotypes of cattle. Data from 90 bulls
comprising 47 White Fulani (WF) and 43 Simmental x Sokoto Gudali (SG) aged
between 36-38 months was utilised. All the morphometric traits of the SG were
significantly (P<0.05) higher than the White Fulani (WF) breeds. The coefficient of
variation for bodyweight (BW) and thigh length (TL) were high. The temperamental
traits for the SG were significantly (P<0.05) lower than the WF genotypes. The
coefficient of variation for the temperament traits was high. The correlation between
BW and body length (BL), Ear length (EL), thigh length (TL) and height at wither
(HW) were highly significant (P<0.01) and positive in WF. Pen score (PS), chute
score (CS) and exit score (ES) had significantly (P<0.05) negative correlations with
BW in the WF genotype. The relationships between BW and BL, TL and height at
withers (HW) were highly significant (P<0.01) and positive in SG. CS had a
significant (P<0.05) positive relationship with BW in the SG genotype. The
variations in the population can be used for improvement of beef cattle which are
easier to manage by their handlers