5. Growth of male calves of the Aberdeen Angus cattle breed reared in an organic farm

Author: Svetoslav Karamfilov, Vasil Nikolov

Abstract

The growth of male calves of the Aberdeen Angus cattle breed was examined in a certified organic farm. The animals were weighed on a monthly basis. It was ascertained that the male calves were born with a live weight of 33.9 ± 0.31 kg, and upon weaning at 210 days they weigh 197.5 ± 7.86 kg. The growth of the animals as a whole and within the different age groups is influenced by the year, season and month of birth. The calves born in the autumn are the ones to develop the best until attaining one year of age, after that it is those born in the spring but the most sustainable growth is displayed by the calves born in the winter. The male calves of the Aberdeen Angus cattle breed, reared in an organic farm reach an optimal slaughter age of 16 months and an average live weight of 453.1 ± 47.21 kg.

Keywords: Aberdeen Angus, growth, organic farm