Project Title  Estimation of conformation score in relation to body measurements using 3D scanner
                                  in swamp buffaloes

  Researchers            Chollada Buranakarl  Jintana Indramangala  Kitti Koobkaew  
                                            Tongtawee  Deemakarn  Nikorn Sanghuayphrai  Supornchai Pharee  Goonlapatt
                                            Phothikanit Jureeratn Sanpote  Chularat Tanprasert   Teera Phatrapornnant  
                                            Pairat Chaichanadee  Sirichai Parittotakapron  Panithi Sirauksorn      
                                            Paniti Pumviset Woraporn Sukhumavasi     Petcharat Nampimoon 

  Completed Date   June, 2011

 Abstracts

                       The buffaloes conformation was evaluated using 3D scanning technique in 72 males, 78 females and 32 pregnant  females  at Surin, Uthaithanee, Bangkok, Nakornpanom and Sakaew provinces of Thailand. The results found the significant relationship between 18 measurable points using the caliper and tape compared with 3D scanner except at the distance between the base of horns.  The height, heart girth, girdle width, hip width, body length, knee circumference and horn length were significantly higher along with age in both males and females.   However, in male buffaloes, the rate of increase tended to be reduced after 4-5 years while the same tendency showed in 3-4 years females.  In pregnant buffaloes, only heart girth was increased significantly in the late pregnancy group.  The scores obtained by animal scientists  and the philosophers were closely correlated in every categories in both male and females buffaloes except for the vagina in females and head and neck in pregnant animals. The coefficient of determination (R²) for score prediction in male buffaloes under 4 years old was highest when body length and knee circumference were included in the equation : Score =[ (0.568 x body length) + (1.584 x knee circumference) – 77.89]  (R² = 0.57).  The result suggested that these two variables were related to conformation during maturing stage.  Factors affecting score the most in male over 4 years of age was heart girth (R² = 0.70) and the R² was rise up to 0.85 when girdle width was included in the equation [Score = (0.485 x heart girth) + (1.892 x girdle width) – 156.54]. This showed that  these two factors were possible to be used for body conformation score prediction in males. In females under 3 years old, the R² were low in all type of equation (one traits to four traits equation, 0.05-0.42)  However, in females over 3 years of age the R² is high (0.66) when  girdle width was included in the equation which implied that the rear part of the body was important for conformation score prediction [score = 2.655 x girdle width  – 91.52].  Addition of other traits did not influence the R².   The scores given by animal scientists and the philosophers were lower than 100 %. The unattained information by 3D scanner such as the eye and horn shape, the hair color, the gating movement or the temperament etc. are the factors responsible for additional scoring. Moreover, data form 3D scanner such as body length, heart girth or girdle width can be used to predict the animal weight in both sexes (R² = 0.67-0.68). The equation specifically in males and females are  male weight = (9.214 x heart girth) – 1382.93, R² = 0.78; female weight = (20.327 x girdle width) – 483.11,  R² = 0.78, respectively.

 Keywords    conformation score      body measurements      3D scanner     swamp buffaloes