Characteristics of Ongole Grade Cows in the Kebumen Regency, Central Java Province

Abstract

The research was conducted to explore the characteristics of Ongole grade cows. The research was held in Klirong sub-district, Kebumen regency. Two hundred thirty of Ongole grade farmers were involved in this research and interviewed on cows reproduction characteristics and breeding management, while exterior characteristics and body size were measured directly on 217 head of Ongole grade cows. Data of body size and cows performance were analyzed using mean and standard deviation, while exterior characteristics were analyzed descriptively and presented in percentages. Exterior characteristics of Ongole grade cows were white color in body and face, have a hump, big dewlap, long and hanging ears. Body size of Ongole grade cows at the three to four years old in terms of heart girth, shoulder height, body length, hip height, hip width and head index were 168.60±13.15 cm; 131.10±8.71 cm; 135.57±13.70 cm; 136.20±13.03 cm; 45.23±1.03 cm and 0.41±0.01, while at cows more than four years old were 170.97±11.02 cm; 130.10±5.61 cm; 136.00±9.21 cm; 136.67±5.83 cm; 45.27±0.99 cm and 0.41±0.01. The PPE, PPM, and S/C of Ongole grade cows were 4.07±0.18 months, 5.01±0.38 months, and 1.71±0.14. It was concluded that body sizes and performance of Ongole grade cows still in the normal range and relatively better than another research.