Preliminary genetic parameters for live weight and ultrasound scan traits in Merinos

Title
Preliminary genetic parameters for live weight and ultrasound scan traits in Merinos
Publication Date
2003
Author(s)
Clarke, B E
Brown, Daniel
Ball, Alex
Editor
Editor(s): Abigail Henderson
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:4482
Abstract
The Australian Merino has traditionally been bred as a wool-producing sheep, however it also contributes significantly to prime lamb and mutton production. To breed for improved growth and carcase characteristics (such as live weight, fat depth and eye muscle depth) accurate genetic parameters are required. This paper reports on estimates of the heritabilities and genetic and phenotypic relationships between these traits. Results show that all traits are moderate to highly heritable. There are moderate genetic and phenotypic correlations between fat depth and eye muscle depth at both yearling and hogget age. These results indicate that there is merit in selecting Merinos for better growth and carcase traits using available genetic technologies of estimated breeding values.
Link
Citation
Proceedings of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics, v.15, p. 326-329
ISSN
1328-3227
ISBN
0958629927
Start page
326
End page
329

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