This research was conducted to fit growth curves for, and optimize body weight prediction models of, the main beef cattle breeds in China.

Based on more than 60,000 records of 22 cattle breeds collected by the National Center of Beef Cattle Genetic Evaluation, four non-linear models, namely Gompertz, logistic, von Bertalanffy and Brody, were used to fit growth curves, estimate the corresponding parameters and analyze the difference in back fat thickness and loin eye area among 11 beef cattle breeds at the age of 24 months. These models were used to determine breed characteristics and provide an accurate theoretical basis for future breeding programs.

According to the R^2 and actual growth laws, the optimal weight prediction models were selected for male and female cattle and the corresponding parameters were estimated. Overall, the body weight of each breed gradually increased from birth to maturity, approaching the “S” curve. The growth rate was faster before 12 months of age, and then gradually decreased after 18 months of age. The growth trend of male and female cattle was essentially the same, but there were certain differences between breeds; for example, Wagyu bulls showed higher growth rates in early stages than Angus, and Wagyu cows showed lower growth rates in early stages than Angus. Meat-type breeds had advantages in mature weight and growth speed compared with dual purpose and local cattle breeds. When compared for back fat thickness and loin eye area at the age of 24 months, some local breeds such as Wenshan cattle, Bohai Black cattle and Nanyang cattle had greater fat deposition, and Jiaxian Red cattle, Jinnan cattle and Sanhe cattle were superior in meat production.

This study provides more accurate weight prediction models than were previously available for bulls and cows of the major beef cattle breeds in China. Although some local cattle breeds are small in body size, they have the potential to produce high-quality beef products.