Variance components estimation for body length and area traits derived from image analysis of live pigs

Abstract

<p><i><b>Introduction:</i></b> Body conformation of an animal has traditionally been used in the commercial industry as an indicator of carcase value. Pig body conformation can vary in different genotypes because of fat levels, muscularity and stage of maturity Doeschl et al. (2004). Attention to carcase conformation is becoming more widespread as its effects on total meat yield and the weight of individual retail cuts are being recognised. Linear body measurements on live animals offer advantages over ubjective methods of judging carcase conformation and as predictors of primal cut distribution. In order to implement linear or area measurements in genetic evaluations, genetic variation must exist in these traits. This study aimed to estimate variance components and to derive heritabilities for length and area measures of live pigs that were obtained from digital images.</p>