BOVINE RACIAL OPTIONS AND EVALUATION CRITERIA FOR THE ASOPEGA’S CATTLEMEN, GUALACA - PANAMA

Abstract

The aim was to identify the evaluations criteria and the advantages and disadvantages that the ASOPEGA’s cattlemen consider in order to evaluate available bovine racial options. Participative research methodology was used. There were surveyed 14 of the 23 associated. The main problem of the group was: bovine heard with low productivity performance and beef conformation. As technological options, 100% uses energy-protein-mineral supplementation, pasture and heard management, and genetics. In genetic improvement, 92,9% indicated to use artificial insemination, 78,6% to buy better bulls and 100% to use embryo transfer. The 50,7%, 50,0% and 64,8% prefer breeds like Red Angus, Simmental and Brahman, respectively. Bulls in service came from other cattlemen (64,3%) and 42,9% come from artificial inseminations. The 85,7% change their bulls to avoid inbreeding. There were identified 18 advantages and five disadvantages from the tested genetic groups. The 50,0% said that with Bos indicus crosses the main advantages is adaptability; crosses with Bos taurus in fertility (92,9%) and with synthetic was weaning weight (50,0%). For the three genetic groups, the main disadvantages were: with Bos indicus bad temperament (50,0%), with Bos taurus is ticks susceptibility (78,6%) and with synthetic these disadvantages were indicated by 42,9% of the cattlemen. Component with high advantages were: grazing capacity, pre-weaning development, reproduction and sales/marked. It is concluded that the criteria to evaluate bovine racial options were: adaptability, pre-weaning performance, reproductive efficiency and demand.