Variation in rectal temperature of cattle in a tropical environment and its relation to growth rate

Abstract

ABSTRACT Rectal temperatures of cattle grazed near the tropic of Capricorn in central Queensland were studied. The cattle were of Bos indicus, B. taurus and crossbred lines, and were represented by over 200 growing heifers in each of 2 years and some supplementary groups. Rectal temperatures were log e normally distributed when they were expressed as deviations from a basal temperature of 38°C. They were significantly repeatable, but were more highly repeatable when herd mean temperature was above 39·5°C. The heritability estimate was 0·33 ( P < 0·01). The mean phenotypic regression of growth rate on rectal temperature, within breed groups, was 0·04 (s.e. 0·006) kg/day per °C ( r = 0·3, P < 0·01) over the entire growth period from birth to 18 months of age but greater during warmer seasons. The estimated genetic correlation was insignificant in one group of heifers but −0·86 (s.e. 0·17) in the other. The evidence of favourable and possible unfavourable responses to selection of cattle for low rectal temperature in warm environments is discussed.