Comparison of nonlinear models to describe the growth of crossbred taurine x zebu dairy cows in northeastern Brazil

The objectives of this study were to compare different mathematical functions [Brody (BD), Von Bertalanffy (VB), logistic (LG) and Gompertz (GP)], to identify the model that best describes growth, to estimate curve components (asymptotic weight: a; maturation rate: k), and to characterize the shape (point of inflection: PI; instantaneous growth rate: IGR) of the average growth curve of crossbred cows (Bos taurus x Bos indicus) raised in a semi-extensive production system. This study used 537 weight records from three farms obtained at intervals of 30 days over the period from 2010 to 2012. The values of a and k were, respectively, 1,982 kg and 0.000286 kg/day for BD; 550.50 kg and 0.00232 kg/day for VB; 405.20 kg and 0.006374 kg/day for LG, and 479.70 kg and 0.00353 kg/day for GP. According to the statistical criteria, models VB, BD and LG exhibited the highest (>0.74) adjusted coefficient of determination (Ra²), while the lowest residual value was observed for GP (4,918.38), indicating that all models accurately fit the data observed. Regarding the criteria of biological interpretation, models VB (8.48 months) and LG (9.4 months) provided a PI close to the observed, VB (12.04-0.535 kg/month) was the only model able to describe IGR, and the remaining models underestimated the increase in body weight. Model VB provided the best fit to the growth data of crossbred cows with high genetic variability raised in a semi-extensive system.