Estimates of Genetic Parameters for Seasonal Weight Changes of Beef Cows

Author(s)
Meyer, Karin
Colditz, Ian
Publication Date
2015
Abstract
Genetic parameters were estimated for seasonal body weight changes of cows and weaning weight of their calves in two beef herds run at pasture in a Mediterranean climate. Heritability estimates for weight changes were low. Cows predisposed to lose more weight were also likely to gain more weight, and larger cows had greater genetic potential for weight changes. Low to moderate genetic and permanent environmental correlations indicated that cows with greater seasonal weight changes weaned heavier calves, due in part to the genetic association between weaning weight and cows' mature body weight. Results indicate that in this environment, scope to select for heavy weaning weight without penalty to cow body weight during periods of seasonal feed scarcity is limited.
Citation
Proceedings of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics, v.21, p. 193-196
ISBN
9780646945545
ISSN
1328-3227
Link
Language
en
Publisher
Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics (AAABG)
Title
Estimates of Genetic Parameters for Seasonal Weight Changes of Beef Cows
Type of document
Conference Publication
Entity Type
Publication

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