Keywords: Afrikander, Bos indicus, bovine, breeds, puberty, nutrition,
These calves serve as an example for the discussion of puberty, occurring much earlier in Bos taurus var taurus breeds (English and European animal such as Herefords, Angus, Simmental etc) than in Bos taurus var indicus breeds such as Afrikanders, Texas Longhorns, Brahmans etc. Puberty is highly dependent on body weight and therefore, energy intake i.e. if an animal reaches 60% or more of its adult body weight sooner than a herd mate, it will reach puberty sooner.
In females it is often defined as the first time that ovulation and estrus occur together and in males, the first time that a fertile ejaculate is produced.
