Estimation of Live Body Weight from Heart Girth, Body Length and Condition Score in Nilotic Cattle – Southern Sudan

Data obtained from livestock survey in Malakal area was used to determine the extent to which live body weight was related to heart girth, body length and condition score in Nilotic cattle. Body weight, heart girth and body length were significantly different (P < 0.01) between castrates, intact bulls and cows and were also positively correlated (males r = 0.87 and females r = 0.89). Conversely, condition scores were negatively correlated (r = -0.22 males and females r = -0.32) with body weight. Weaned calves and adult cows had low condition scores. Castrated bulls weighed 306.8±31.3 kg and were significantly (p < 0.01) heavier than intact bulls (292.8±31.6 kg) and cows (146.4±19.3 kg). Similarly, male calves (26.8±5.8 kg) were heavier than females (15.5±4.2 kg) at birth. Live weight estimates, derived simultaneously from both heart girth and body length measurements, were deemed reliable than do those estimated from heart girth and body lengths and condition scores alone. One centimeter on the weighing band represented 0.02 kg on the scale, while one condition score was equivalent to 10.6 kg in females and 29 kg in males.