Heart girth-based bodyweight prediction for Sub-Saharan African ruminants: updated equations by species, breed, and system

Accurate livestock bodyweight estimation is critical for determining appropriate therapeutic dosing, monitoring growth and nutritional status, and improving farm management in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, direct weighing using scales is often impractical in field settings due to cost, portability, and resource constraints. Heart girth measurements are widely used as a practical proxy, but existing prediction equations are often outdated, geographically limited, or restricted to specific breeds and management systems. This study presents updated, high-precision bodyweight prediction equations derived from heart girth measurements across diverse ruminant species (cattle, sheep, and goats), breeds, and production systems in Sub-Saharan Africa. By incorporating expanded field datasets, the refined models provide improved predictive accuracy and offer flexible, scalable tools for researchers, veterinarians, extension workers, and livestock keepers to optimize animal health and productivity interventions in resource-limited settings.