Production Performances of Bali Cattle Reared at Different Altitudes in Belu District, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

This research aims to analyze the production performances between Bali cattle which reared at high altitude and low altitude in Belu District, East Nusa Tenggara. The research was done through direct measurement of the cattle's performances and interview to the farmers. The observed variables include calves' birth weight, weaning weight and body weight of the Bali cows. The obtained data were then analyzed with independent t-test. The results showed that Bali calves reared at high altitude had higher body weight (16.22±1.63 kg for bulls and 14.68±2.07 kg for heifers) than reared at low altitude (13.82±1.74 kg for bulls and 12.62±1.86 kg for heifers). In accordance, Bali calves reared at high altitude also had higher body weight (115.55±22.48 kg for bulls and 104.83±18.39 kg for heifers) than reared at low altitude (95.03±29.83 kg for bulls and 94.28±15.02 kg for heifers). Furthermore, the similar results also shown in the observation of Bali cows' body weight, with cows aged 2-3 years, 3-4 years, and >4 years reared at high altitude were weighted at 163.42±35.66 kg, 228.39±25.97 kg and 240.83±28.10 kg, whereas at low altitude were weighted at 142.20±45.16 kg, 224.67±15.81 kg, and 226.60±22.74 kg, respectively. The research concluded that Bali cattle which reared at high altitude had higher production performances compared to the low altitude.