CORRELATIONS BETWEEN VISUAL SCORES AND PRODUCTIVE TRAITS OF POLLED NELORE CATTLE IN PERFORMANCE TESTS

Abstract

The objective was evaluate the phenotypic correlations among visual scores, performance traits and scrotal circumference of the polled Nelore cattle performance tests. Animals of the fifth, sixth, seventh official performance test in pasture were analysed. At the end of each test period   the following measures were taken: adjusted weight to 550 days, gain weight, visual score (body structure; precocity and muscle) and scrotal circumference. The musculature, precocity and body structure showed significant positive correlations (P <0.01) with gain weight, adjusted average daily weight to 550 days, scrotal circumference and chest circumference. However, only hip height showed a significant positive correlation with muscularity. Therefore, in polled Nelore cattle, regards to performance test in pasture, the visual scores show positive correlation with the performance traits and scrotal circumference, showing that visual scores is important tool in the polled Nelore Cattle  performance test.