Comparison of growth curve models for Ongole Grade cattle

Growth curves are important for understanding the growth phase and specific characteristics of farm animals. This study evaluated growth curve models to predict the age at puberty and growth rate of Ongole Grade cattle. The study used the weights of cattle from birth to 5 years old in 2011 to 2019 obtained from the Beef Cattle Research Station. The data were analyzed using four non-linear growth curve models: Brody, von Bertalanffy, logistic, and Gompertz. The coefficients of determination (R²) of the growth equation for the respective models were in the high range. The lowest Akaike's information criterion (AIC) value for males and females was obtained by the Brody and logistic models, respectively. Males with the von Bertalanffy, logistic, and Gompertz models had an estimated age and body weight at puberty of 12.56 months and 198.93 kg, 21.46 months and 298.43 kg, and 15.71 months and 235.49 kg, respectively, while females had an estimated age and body weight of 11.79 months and 166.44 kg, 13.94 months and 164.08 kg, and 11.76 months and 169.57 kg, respectively. The Brody function best fit the growth rate and exhibited the smallest mean deviation.