Genetic Parameters for Body Weight, Carcass and Wool Traits in Dohne Merino

Author(s)
Li, Li
Brown, Daniel
Gill, J S
Publication Date
2013
Abstract
The Dohne Merino was introduced to Australia as a dual-purpose (wool and meat) breed at the end of 1990s with very limited genetic parameters available. Up to 373,639 records per trait were used to estimate genetic parameters for eight traits in this study. Heritability estimates (± s.e.) were 0.34 ± 0.02 for weaning weight (Wwt), 0.27 ± 0.01 for yearling weight (Ywt), 0.13 ± 0.01 for yearling fat depth (Yfat), 0.19 ± 0.05 for yearling eye muscle depth (Yemd), 0.37 ± 0.01 for yearling greasy fleece weight (Ygfw), 0.27 ± 0.01 for yearling clean fleece weight (Ycfw), 0.46 ± 0.01 for yearling fibre diameter (Yfd) and 0.28 ± 0.01 for yearling fibre diameter coefficient of variation (Ydcv), respectively. Significant maternal and maternal environmental effects (± s.e.) were found, being highest for Wwt (0.12 ± 0.01 and 0.05 ± 0.01, respectively) and of smaller magnitude for Ywt, Ygfw and Ycfw (ranging from 0.02 to 0.04). Negative correlations between direct and maternal genetic effects was found for Wwt, Ywt, Ygfw and Ycfw, ranging from -0.41 to -0.75. The genetic and phenotypic correlations between Ygfw and Ycfw were high (0.79 ± 0.01 and 0.89 ± 0.01, respectively) and moderate positive genetic correlations were found between Wwt and Ywt, Wwt and Ygfw, Yfat and Yemd, ranging from 0.26 to 0.54. These values were within the range of estimates found in the literature for Merino sheep.
Citation
Proceedings of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics, v.20, p. 241-244
ISBN
9780473260569
ISSN
1328-3227
Link
Publisher
Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics (AAABG)
Title
Genetic Parameters for Body Weight, Carcass and Wool Traits in Dohne Merino
Type of document
Conference Publication
Entity Type
Publication

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