Growth and Reproductive Performance of the Indigenous Kedah-Kelantan (KK) Cattle: A Review

Abstract

Kedah-Kelantan (KK) cattle plays a significant role for beef industry in Malaysia. KK cattle is a well-adapted local breed reared by traditional farming system with low quality feeds. KK cows normally produce a calf per year, which attracts farmers for commercial production. Currently, KK cattle is playing an important role for profitable beef production in Malaysia since the imported exotic breeds, crossbreds, and synthetic breeds of cattle could not perform to their full potential for sustainability of the livestock industry in the country. Consequently, nowadays, importance of the unique Malaysian beef breed (KK) has been increasing gradually in consideration to the changing climatic situation and adaptibility. Meanwhile, it is required to know the productive and reproductive performance of KK cattle for a further long term sustainable breeding program. As such reviewing growth performance, age at puberty and maturity, semen quality, scrotal biometry, libido efficiency, conception rate, service per conception, and calving interval are fundamental. There exist limited systemic studies and in-depth reviews based on these key reproductive, growth characteristics, and indexes for KK cattle. Therefore, reproductive key parameters of KK cattle were reviewed with the aim of understanding the challenges on the production of KK cattle and to suggest possible strategies to alleviate those challenges.

Growth Performance and Sexual Maturity in Malaysian Kedah-Kelantan and Kedah-Kelantan × Brangus Bulls

“…In this study, the mean body weights were 98.1 and 111.9 kg for KK and KK × Brangus bulls, respectively at 13 months with no significant difference (p˃0.05). This finding is in close agreement with the results of (Ariff et al, 1993;Islam et al, 2021) who reported the mean body weight in KK males as 102.3 and 100.5kg, respectively. Although, the results of this experiment is higher than results of Hafiz et al (2009) who reported 87.5 kg and comparatively lower than Johari and Jasmi (2009) who found 130kg in KK bulls at the same age.…”

“…Contrariwise, the ADGs from 13 to age at puberty were 0.35±0.1kg and 0.27±0.1 kg/d for KK × Brangus bulls and KK bulls, respectively with significant (p˂0.05) difference between groups. Islam et al (2021) reported almost similar findings (0.3kg/d) through meta-data analysis of average daily gain of KK reported by different researchers in different periods. There were also no significant (p˂0.05) differences of ADG between KK and KK × Brangus bulls for 19 to 24-months, 25 to 30-months and 13-months to age at maturity.…”

“…The difference between KK and their crosses with Brangus might be explained by the initial body weight prior to experiment as well as the birth weight of the experimental bulls. Puberty is the age of first breeding potential, while sexual maturity is the age of maximum breeding potential of a breeding bull (Islam et al, 2021). It was defined as the period whenever the sexual organs of a bull developed functionally for reproduction (Brito, 2014).…”

“…KK cattle contribute an important role for the sustainable beef production in Malaysia since the imported exotic breeds, crossbreds and synthetic breeds of cattle could not perform at their full potential (Islam et al, 2021). Survivability to harsh environment, adaptability to climatic changes, sustainability to low quality feeds and houses, rusticity to traditional farming system, fertility to produce a calf per year are the important features of Malaysian KK breed (Clayton, 1983;Hafiz et al, 2009;Ariff et al, 2015;Mastura et al, 2019;Islam et al, 2021). Consequently, the importance of KK cattle has been increasing gradually in consideration to the changing climatic situation and adaptibility.…”

Consumer Perception of Charolais Mixed Breed (Lembu Sado) Meat Consumption in Terengganu, Malaysia

“…Government has taken an initiative to improve the meat production by importing more than 15 exotic breeds such as Charolais, Brahman, Brangus and Hereford breeds as purebreds and also for crossbreeding. These breeds especially Charolais have become a choice for crossbreeding to local breed which is Kedah-Kelantan (KK) because they have higher growth rate and body weight (Islam et al 2021). This mixed breed is locally known as Lembu Sado.…”