PHYSIOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION THROUGH BODY TEMPERATURE AND RESPIRATION FREQUENCY OF BEEF CATTLE IN PANGANDARAN

M. Rifqi Ismiraj and Novi Mayasari

DOI: 10.26480/bda.02.2020.63.64

ABSTRACT
Physiological status is one of the indicators to determine the health status and productivity of livestock animals. This study aimed to characterize the physiological status of beef cattle in Pangandaran area through the measurement of body temperature dan respiration frequency. In total, 10 Ongole beef cattle, blocked by sex (6 bulls and 4 cows) and age (12 and 24 months), weighed 250±10 kg was involved in this study. The measured parameters were body temperature (consisted of three measurement points: head, body, and rectal) and respiration frequency. The data were analyzed by analysis of variances (ANOVA) to determine the effects of sex and age. The results showed that there were no effects of neither sex nor age to body temperature and respiration frequency (P>0.05). Body temperature data for bulls and cows were ranged at 30.44°C-31.11°C and 31.24°C-32.62°C, respectively. While the respiration frequency for bulls and cows were averaged at 35.11 times/minute and 30.90 times/minute, respectively. In conclusion, the physiological status of beef cattle in Pangandaran have been characterized through body temperature and respiration frequency, with no significant effect of neither sex nor age on both body temperature and respiration frequency. The data of this study, in turn, can be used by farmers to optimize management and achieve optimal productivity and profitability.

KEYWORDS
beef cattle, sex, body temperature, respiration frequency, characterization