Selection For Reduced Mature Cow Weight Should Not Reduce Body Condition Unless Accompanied By Selection For Increased Fat

Title
Selection For Reduced Mature Cow Weight Should Not Reduce Body Condition Unless Accompanied By Selection For Increased Fat
Publication Date
2015
Author(s)
Pitchford, W S
Lee, S J
Donoghue, K
Walmsley, Bradley J
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9278-795X
Email: bwalms2@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:bwalms2
Editor
Editor(s): Kim Bunter, Tim Byrne, Hans Daetwyler, Susanne Hermesch, Kathryn Kemper, James Kijas, David Nation, Wayne Pitchford, Suzanne Rowe, Matt Shaffer, Alison van Eenennaam
Type of document
Conference Publication
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics (AAABG)
Place of publication
Armidale, Australia
UNE publication id
une:19211
Abstract
A large number of Angus cows (3,768) were ultrasound scanned for eye muscle area, rib and rump fat depth and intramuscular fat both as yearlings and at weaning of their first calf. They also had weight, height and body condition recorded. Response to selection for a number of scenarios was evaluated following current industry index weightings. Single trait selection for reduced cow weight at time of weaning her calf would result in shorter cows with less fat, muscle and condition. However, selection indices that include some positive weighting on carcass fat (low weighting on subcutaneous fat depth or large weighting on intramuscular fat) would result in increased body condition of cows even when adjusted for changes in weight or mature size. Recently updated Angus selection indices do have positive weightings on both subcutaneous and intramuscular fat.
Link
Citation
Proceedings of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics, v.21, p. 189-192
ISSN
1328-3227
ISBN
9780646945545
Start page
189
End page
192

Files:

NameSizeformatDescriptionLink