The study was carried out in two commercial farms with dual purpose system, located in the Monagas State – Venezuela. The objective of the study was to determine the relationship among the estimated body weight (PV) of dual purpose calves based on individual and combined body measurements (MC). 367
Bos taurus
x
Bos indicus
calves, of both sexes between one and 12 months old classifield ind two breed group [ ≤ ½; > ½ europeo (E)] were measured and weighted individually. The MC considered were: Heart girth (PT), body length (LC), wither height (AC) and rump height (AG). Multiple correlation and regression analyses were carried out, considering the possible combinations of MC, sex and the breed group. Repeatability of all MC was high (r= 0,96 to 0,98) when taken at two different moments the same day by the same person. PT turned out to be the single most precise indicator of PV(R
2=0,92), the difference with the others MC however was very low (R
2= 0,88). No differences between sexes in the regression of PV on PT were found, breed group regressions were different (p < 0,05) therefore, predictions must be made separately for ≤ ½ - and > ½ E. The highest obtained R
2 value using combined measurements was 0.93. It was concluded that the estimated R
2 value by using combinations of several MC does not justify using any others measurements in addition to PT to predict PV.