DETERMINING THE TYPE OF LIMOUSIN CANDIDATE BULLS BY CLUSTER ANALYSIS

Abstract

Authors analysed the production of purebred Limousin candidate bulls (n = 40) between 2018 - 2020. Candidate bulls were kept in small groups (2-9) at the test station, fed with meadow hay, alfalfa ad libitum and dosed fodder. Traits studied were the following: finishing live weight, daily weight gain during the test (g/day) and measures from four conformation judgements (e.g. height at withers, rump width 3 cm). Data was analysed by SPSS 24.0 software package (K-means cluster analysis). Animals grouped to the first cluster (n = 5) showed high growth capacity, excellent growth intensity and height above the average according to the data. Individuals in the second cluster (n = 19) showed good production level according to the traits analysed, their live weight and weight gain was above average, so as their withers height and hip height. Individuals grouped in the third cluster (n = 16) can be used successfully by breeders who would like to stabilize the live weight, growth intensity and frame in their stock, on a production level near average. K-means cluster analysis proved to be suitable for defining the type of candidate bulls, therefore can make breeding work more effective in the practice.

Keywords

• limousin candidate bulls
• central performance test station
• k-means cluster analysis