Effectiveness of selection for growth rate in Zebu × British crossbred cattle. I. Pre-weaning growth

1975 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 393 ◽  
Author(s):  
GW Seifert
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Environmental Effects ◽  
Significant Interaction ◽  
Response To Selection ◽  
Crossbred Cattle ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Genetic Potential ◽  
Low Weight ◽  
Selection For

From random-bred populations of Africander cross (AX) and Brahman cross (BX), bulls and cows were selected within breeds for high and low weight per day of age (W/A) at c. 2 years of age and mated assortatively. There was a similar and significant response to selection in both breeds in birth weight and pre-weaning W/A as well as in pre-weaning gains. Although the BX animals were heavier and gained more than the AX animals, the differences were not as great or as consistent as the effect of selection. Calf gains were inversely related to cow gains from birth to weaning, but positively correlated to cow weight. During the pre-weaning period high W/A line cows gained significantly more than the low W/A line cows, while AX animals gained more than the BX group. The higher gain of the high W/A line cows and the higher weaning weight of their calves showed that these lines were more efficient than the low lines in terms of production of weaning weight. Very early calf gains from birth in November to January, and W/A in January, appeared to be poor indicators of the genetic potential of the calf and of the permanent environmental effects affecting its growth. In contrast, the period from January to March, during which the most rapid gains were experienced, reflected both the genetic potential and permanent environmental effects. The previous lactational status of the dam only affected birth weight and day of birth significantly and affected the AX calves more than the BX calves. This resulted in a significant interaction between breed and previous lactational status for these two traits.

Performance of crossbred progeny of Trangie Fertility Merino and Booroola Merino rams and Poll Dorset ewes. 1. Lamb birth weight, survival and growth

1995 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 1069 ◽  
Author(s):  
DG Hall ◽  
NM Fogarty ◽  
AR Gilmour
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Environmental Effects ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Age And Growth ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Survival And Growth ◽  
The Common ◽  
Lamb Survival

Merino rams of the Trangie Fertility and Booroola strains were joined to Poll Dorset ewes in single sire mating groups over 3 years. Forty sires produced a total of 1250 lambs in 885 litters from 451 ewes. Lamb birth weight averaged 4.1 kg, 80.8% of lambs survived to 3 days of age and growth rates to weaning (mean 93 days) averaged 289 g/day. Lambs with Trangie Fertility sires grew 15 g/day faster and were 1.3 kg heavier at weaning than those lambs with Booroola sires (P<0.001). There were no effects of sire strain on birth weight or lamb survival. Birth weight increased with dam liveweight in mid-pregnancy (P<0.001), and weaning weight and growth rate increased with dam liveweight at joining (P<0.001). Survival of lambs was predominantly a function of birth weight. Lambs weighing 4 kg at birth from primiparous dams had survival rates of 76% compared with 88% for lambs from multiparous dams (P<0.01). No lamb under 2.0 or over 6.3 kg survived, and 48% of deaths occurred within 1 day of birth. Dystocia, particularly of heavy, single-born lambs, caused 53% of observed lamb deaths. For the traits birth weight, lamb survival, weaning weight and growth rate, the direct heritabilities were 0.24 � 0.10, 0.05 � 0.05, 0.19 � 0.10 and 0.12 � 0.08 respectively; the corresponding maternal heritabilities were 0.08 � 0.05, 0.05 � 0.04, 0.05 � 0.05 and 0.07 � 0.05 respectively; and the common environmental effects among litter mates (c2) were 0.57 � 0.08, 0.47 � 0.08, 0.15 � 0.08 and 0.13 � 0.08 respectively.

The effect of correction factors on response to selection in beef cattle

1980 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. P. Jones ◽  
I. R. Hopkins
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Correction Factors ◽  
Response To Selection ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Rate Selection ◽  
Genetic Responses ◽  
Selection Differentials ◽  
Selection Of

ABSTRACTProgeny of younger dams grow more slowly than those of older dams. When the environmental effects of dam age are not allowed for in selection for growth rate, selection differentials and genetic responses to selection are reduced.In a model herd, with cows aged 2 to 8 years, it was found that neglecting the dam age effects reduced genetic gains by about 15% when selection is for weaning weight, and by 11 to 7 % when selection is at an age of 12 to 20 months. Much of the reduction occurs because of the selection of higher proportions from genetically inferior groups.If genetic differences among dam age groups are small the reduction is only 7% at weaning and less at older ages. The effect of ignoring calf age was also estimated. It was found that if calves born within a period of 33 days were compared and calf age was neglected, the response to selection for weaning weight would be reduced by about 6%.

Consequences of selection for weaning weight in zebu, Bos taurus and zebu × Bos taurus cattle in the tropics

1991 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 295 ◽  
Author(s):  
HM Burrow ◽  
HM Burrow ◽  
GW Seifert ◽  
GW Seifert ◽  
DJS Hetzel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Realized Heritability ◽  
Crossbred Cattle ◽  
Correlated Responses ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Resistant Genotype ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Susceptible Populations ◽  
The Tropics

Direct and correlated responses to a single generation of divergent selection for weaning weight per day of age (WA/A) were examined in Bos taurus, zebu and zebu crossbred cattle in a tropical environment. Selection for high WW/A resulted in increased liveweights at all ages in all genotypes, with the exception of birth weight in the Bos taurus genotype. Preweaning daily gains were higher in all genotypes selected for high WW/A, but postweaning daily gains did not differ in two zebu crossbred genotypes. Overall parasite and heat resistance did not change significantly as a result of selection. However, selection within the more resistant genotype/sex populations resulted in higher tick and worm burdens, while in the more susceptible populations tick and worm loads decreased. An examination of lifetime cow fertility showed that cows with high preweaning growth reared more calves to weaning (P < 0.05), had fewer neonatal mortalities (P < 0.10) and also calved earlier (P < 0.01) than cows with low preweaning growth, leading to the conclusion that cows with high WW/A have improved lifetime fertility. Heritability of birth weight, WW/A and 18 month weight per day of age over all genotypes was estimated by parent-offspring regression to be 0.46, 0.21 and 0.22 for each of the traits respectively. The realized heritability of WW/A was 0.17 over all genotypes.

Bayesian analysis of selection for greater weaning weight while maintaining birth weight in beef cattle

2009 ◽  
Vol 87 (10) ◽  
pp. 3089-3096 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. M. Melucci ◽  
A. N. Birchmeier ◽  
E. P. Cappa ◽  
R. J. C. Cantet
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Bayesian Analysis ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Selection For

The role of selection in the improvement of Welsh Mountain sheep

1958 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 819 ◽  
Author(s):  
JM Doney
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Maternal Environment ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Phenotypic Correlations ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Heritability Estimates ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Staple Length

Means and variances of several economic characters in Welsh Mountain sheep are given. The repeatabilities of, and phenotypic correlations between, these characters are generally within the range of similar estimates given for other breeds. Heritabilities, calculated from parent-offspring correlations, were : birth weight 0.39, weaning weight 0.68, 18-month weight 0.59, greasy fleece weight 0.61, and staple length 0.73. These values are in general higher than similarly derived estimates from other breeds. A method of correcting heritability estimates to remove the error due to correlation between maternal environment, and the character as measured in the dam, is described. This reduces the estimate for weaning weight to 0.48, and that for 18-month weight to 0.16, but does not change that for fleece weight. The use of such estimates in predicting the effect of selection is discussed, and it is concluded that accurate selection for the chosen economic characters will result in improvement at the present genetic stage of the breed.

Estimates of genetic parameters for pre-weaning and post-weaning growth traits of Chios lambs

1980 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 271-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. P. Mavrogenis ◽  
A. Louca ◽  
O. W. Robison
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Genetic Parameters ◽  
Growth Traits ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Heritability Estimate ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Phenotypic Correlations ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Daily Gain

ABSTRACTData on 792 Chios lambs born during the 1972/73 and 1973/74 lambing seasons were used to estimate genetic and phenotypic parameters for birth weight, weaning weight, age at weaning, pre-weaning daily gain, body weight at 5, 10, 15 and 20 weeks of age, and postweaning daily gain. Body weight at 15 weeks of age had the highest heritability estimate (0·73 ± 0·17) and that of post-weaning daily gain was also high (0·56 ± 0·15). Selection for either weight at 15 weeks or post-weaning daily gain would be expected to yield a greater response than selection for pre-weaning daily gain or weaning weight. Genetic correlations among weights and/or gains were positive (approximately 0·20). Phenotypic correlations among weights and gains were generally higher than genetic correlations. However, the correlation between pre— and post-weaning daily gain was small (0·08). Likewise, post-weaning daily gain had low correlations with all weights before 10 weeks. Age at weaning had moderate negative associations with all weights but a very low positive correlation with post-weaning daily gain.

The impact of racial pattern on the genetic improvement of Morada Nova sheep

2016 ◽  
Vol 58 ◽  
pp. 73-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Shiotsuki ◽  
P.H.T. Silva ◽  
K.M. Silva ◽  
A.V. Landim ◽  
O.R. Morais ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Genetic Improvement ◽  
Coat Colour ◽  
Simulated Population ◽  
Response To Selection ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Productive Traits ◽  
Red Variety ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Selection Of

SummaryThe objective of the present study was to describe the frequency of the main racial traits of Morada Nova sheep and simulate the impact of this culling on the response to selection for birth weight. The data from sex, coat colour, hoof pigmentation, muzzle pigmentation, polled and cryptorchidism were collected individually at weaning from 385 Morada Nova sheep of the red variety, born between 2010 and 2012, which belonged to four different flocks in the state of Ceará, Brazil. To estimate the impact of culling of animals due to racial pattern on the genetic improvement of the Morada Nova population, the genetic gains in birth weight per generation were calculated considering the following different scenarios of culling due to racial pattern in a simulated population. The present results indicate that the most urgent step is flexibilization of the requirement of dark muzzles and hooves. The selection of Morada Nova sheep based on racial pattern has caused losses in the genetic gain for productive traits such as birth weight. Readaptation of the official racial pattern established for Morada Nova sheep is necessary so that the racial pattern is achieved and an adequate number of animals will be available for selection.

MASS SELECTION FOR POST-WEANING GROWTH IN SWINE. V. CORRELATED RESPONSE OF REPRODUCTIVE TRAITS AND PRE-WEANING GROWTH

1976 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 791-801
Author(s):  
I. GARNETT ◽  
G. W. RAHNEFELD
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Reproductive Traits ◽  
Correlated Response ◽  
Mass Selection ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Control Line ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Daily Gain

Female reproductive performance and pre-weaning survival and growth were examined in a population of swine over 11 generations of selection for post-weaning average daily gain (ADG). Three separate breeding groups were used: (1) a Lacombe (L) line selected each generation for ADG, (2) a Yorkshire control (Y) line, and (3) a crossbred Lacombe × Yorkshire group (LY) generated each generation from the L and Y lines. Breeding group differences were evident for litter size, perinatal mortality, pre-weaning mortality, gestation length, birth weight, pre-weaning average daily gain (PreADG) and weaning weight. Selection did not affect number born, number born alive, number weaned or birth weight. When the values for the L line were expressed as a deviation from the control, pre-weaning mortality showed an increase. The increase appeared to be due to a decrease in the control rather than an increase in the L line. Gestation length showed a negative response to selection. As in the case of pre-weaning mortality, the response appeared to be a reflection of the instability of the control line. Genetic gains in PreADG of 0.004 kg/day/generation were realized in both the L line and LY group. Correspondingly, responses of 0.18 and 0.19 kg/generation were realized for weaning weight in the L line and LY group.

Performance of Hereford and crossbred Hereford cattle in the subtropics of New South Wales: genetic analyses of pre-weaning performance of first-cross calves

1980 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 417 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Barlow ◽  
GH O'Neill
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Environmental Variation ◽  
Direct Selection ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Sire Breed ◽  
Size At Birth

First-cross calves of Simmental (S), Friesian (F), and Brahman (B) sires were compared with straight-bred calves of Hereford (H) sires over 5 years at Grafton, N.S.W. There was a total of 775 calves sired by 205 bulls with complete records of performance from conception to weaning. Analyses were conducted to determine sire breed and sire breed x environment effects, and to provide paternal half-sib estimates of heritabilities and genetic and phenotypic correlations. Various models were used to ascertain the sensitivity of genetic parameters to the removal of different sources of variation. Among females, S x H were heaviest at birth, while among males, B x H were heaviest. The regression coefficient of birth weight on gestation length was significantly greater for B x H calves than for other crosses. All crosses grew significantly faster to weaning and were significantly heavier at weaning than H x H calves. However, there were a number of significant interactions between sire breed and environmental variables for measures of pre-weaning growth. S x H and F x H calves appeared most sensitive to environmental variation, while B x H appeared least sensitive. The significance of this is discussed. Estimates of heritability for most traits were high. Values derived by using simple models were: gestation length, 0.68; birth weight, 0.56; average daily gain (ADG) to weaning, 0.47; weaning weight, 0.54; eyelid pigmentation, 0.50. Heritabilities of birth weight and ADG during the early pre-weaning period appeared most sensitive to the amount of environmental variation removed in the model. Gestation length was positively correlated with size at birth but negatively correlated with growth to weaning. There were large positive genetic correlations among various measures of size at birth, and among various measures of growth to weaning. When compared with ADG to weaning, weaning weight was more strongly correlated with birth weight, but less strongly correlated with gestation length. The results also indicated that selection for gain over a fixed time period, immediately prior to weaning, would be as efficient as direct selection for total ADG to weaning.

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