Influence of terminal age of weighing on growth curve parameters in n’dama cattle

The effects of year, season of birth and âge on growth curve parameters of the Brody’s model in N’dama cattle were studied. Year effects and both linear and quadratic terms of age fitted as covariates were significant (P<0.01) for ail the three growth parameter estimâtes A, B and K. Mean estimâtes of the three parameters stabilized at slightly different ages. However, based on estimates of rate of maturing and closeness of fit, growth parameters may be derived after 55 months as reported (4.5 years) for Angus cattle. Also strong negative corrélations ’ietween A and K suggested that early maturing animais were less likely to attain heavy mature weights.