Linear–threshold animal model for birth weight, gestation length and calving ease in United Kingdom Limousin beef cattle data

2009 ◽  
Vol 122 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 143-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaarina Matilainen ◽  
Raphael Mrode ◽  
Ismo Strandén ◽  
Robin Thompson ◽  
Esa A. Mäntysaari
Keyword(s):  
Animal Model ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Calving Ease ◽  
Linear Threshold

scholarly journals Comparison of models for estimating genetic parameters and predicting breeding values for birth weight and calving ease in Czech Charolais cattle 

2014 ◽  
Vol 59 (No. 7) ◽  
pp. 302-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Vostrý ◽  
Z. Veselá ◽  
A. Svitáková ◽  
H. Vostrá Vydrová
Keyword(s):  
Animal Model ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Genetic Parameters ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Genetic Effects ◽  
Parameters Estimation ◽  
Calving Ease ◽  
Heritability Estimates

The most appropriate model for genetic parameters estimation for calving ease and birth weight in beef cattle was selected. A total of 27 402 field records were available from the Czech Charolais breed. For estimation of genetic parameters for calving ease and body weight, three bivariate models were tested: a linear-linear animal model (L-LM) with calving ease classified into four categories (1 – easy; 2–4 – most difficult), a linear-linear animal model (SC-LM) in which calving ease scores were transformed into Snell scores (Snell 1964) and expressed as percentage of assisted calving (ranging 0–100%), and a bivariate threshold-linear animal model (T-LM) with calving ease classified into four categories (1 – easy, 2–4 – most difficult). All tested models included fixed effects for contemporary group (herd × year × season), age of dam, sex and breed of a calf. Random effects included direct and maternal genetic effects, maternal permanent environmental effect, and residual error. Direct heritability estimates for calving ease and birth weight were, with the use of L-LM, SC-LM, and T-LM, from 0.096 ± 0.013 to 0.226 ± 0.024 and from 0.210 ± 0.024 to 0.225 ± 0.026, respectively. Maternal heritability estimates for calving ease and birth weight were, with the use of L-LM, SC-LM, and T-LM, from 0.060 ± 0.031 to 0.104 ± 0.125 and from 0.074 ± 0.041 to 0.075 ± 0.040, respectively. Genetic correlations of direct calving ease with direct birth weight ranged from 0.46 ± 0.06 to 0.50 ± 0.06 for all tested models; whereas maternal genetic correlations between these two traits ranged from 0.24 ± 0.17 to 0.25 ± 0.53. Correlations between direct and maternal genetic effects within-trait were negative and substantial for all tested models (ranging from –0.574 ± 0.125 to –0.680 ± 0.141 for calving ease and from –0.553 ± 0.122 to –0.558 ± 0.118 for birth weight, respectively), illustrating the importance of including this parameter in calving ease evaluations. Results indicate that any of the tested models could be used to reliably estimate genetic parameters for calving ease for beef cattle in the Czech Republic. However, because of advantages in computation time and practical considerations, genetic analysis using SC-LM (transformed data) is recommended.

scholarly journals CALVING AND PREWEANING PERFORMANCE OF CROSSBRED PROGENY OF SOME FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC BEEF CATTLE BREEDS

1985 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 583-593 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. NEWMAN ◽  
A. K. W. TONG ◽  
H. T. FREDEEN ◽  
G. W. RAHNEFELD
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Cattle Breed ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Beef Cow ◽  
Calving Ease ◽  
Postnatal Mortality ◽  
Beef Cattle Breeds ◽  
Calving Difficulty ◽  
Calving Traits ◽  
Intermediate Performance

Charolais-, Simmental- and Limousin-sired calves are compared for calving traits and preweaning growth based on observations of 3939 calves born in 48 western Canadian beef cow herds of Hereford, Angus and Shorthorn breeding during the period 1970–1972. Hereford cows produced calves with longer gestation lengths, higher birth weights, slower preweaning growth, and lower weaning weights than Angus cows. Shorthorn cows produced progeny with the shortest gestation lengths and intermediate performance in other traits. Limousin sires produced calves with the longest gestation lengths, the least calving difficulty, the lightest birth weights, the lowest birth-to-weaning mortality, and the slowest preweaning growth. Charolais-sired and Simmental-sired calves did not differ significantly in gestation length, postnatal mortality or preweaning growth rate, but Simmental-sired calves were lighter at birth and calved more easily. Breed-of-sire effects interacted with breed-of-dam effects for birth weight and with sex-of-calf effects for calving ease and most measurement traits, but these interactions did not generally involve a re-ranking of sire breeds. The economic impact of the results is briefly discussed. Key words: Beef cattle, breed effects, preweaning traits

PHENOTYPIC AND GENETIC PARAMETER ESTIMATES FOR GESTATION LENGTH, CALVING EASE AND BIRTH WEIGHT IN SIMMENTAL CATTLE

1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 291-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. KEMP ◽  
J. W. WILTON ◽  
L. R. SCHAEFFER
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Random Mating ◽  
Genetic Parameter ◽  
Parameter Estimates ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Calving Ease ◽  
Phenotypic Correlations ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Genetic And Phenotypic Correlations ◽  
Variance And Covariance Components

Variance components, heritabilities and genetic and phenotypic correlations were estimated using progeny records of 73 sires on the Young Sire Proving Program (YSPP) of the Canadian Simmental Association. The YSPP was based on random mating of 58 test and 15 reference sires to cows in cooperating herds. Data were collected on several traits but the ones of interest in this study were gestation length (GL), calving ease (CE) and birth weight (BW). Variance and covariance components were estimated using Henderson's method 3. Heritability estimates were 0.24, 0.06 and 0.19 for GL, CE and BW, respectively. Genetic and phenotypic correlations were negative between GL and CE and CE and BW. Correlations between GL and BW were moderate and positive. Selection programs, utilizing large numbers of progeny per sire, would be effective but should incorporate the correlations between these traits. Key words: Heritabilities, genetic and phenotypic correlations, selection

Results of multivariate individual animal model genetic evaluations of british pedigree beef cattle

1997 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. E. Crumps ◽  
G. Simm ◽  
D. Nicholson ◽  
R. H. Findlay ◽  
J. G. E. Bryan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Model ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Breeding Value ◽  
Individual Animal ◽  
Group Sex ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Genetic Evaluations ◽  
Genetic Trends

AbstractThis paper reports the procedures put into place in the UK for the genetic evaluation of pedigree beef cattle and estimation of genetic trends using a comprehensive model to allow critical analysis of progress made under previous data recording schemes. Live weights of Simmental, Limousin, Charolais, South Devon and Aberdeen Angus beef cattle, recorded by the Meat and Livestock Commission (MLC) from 1970 to 1992 were analysed, as part of a project to introduce best linear unbiased predictions (BLUP) of breeding value in the British beef industry. Birth weights were available from MLC or the relevant breed society, (4000 to 84000 records, depending on the breed) and 200- and 400-day weights were estimated by within-animal linear regression on all available weights (resulting in 8000 to 48000 records per breed). Animals were retrospectively assigned to contemporary groups within herds, separately for each trait, taking account of observed calving patterns. Records were adjusted to correct for heterogeneity of variance between herds. BLUP evaluations were then performed within breed, fitting a multivariate individual animal model. In addition to additive direct genetic effects, additive maternal genetic and dam permanent environmental effects were included for birth weight and 200-day weight. Unknown parents were assigned to genetic groups, based on estimated date of birth. The model included fixed effects for contemporary group, sex, month of birth, birth type (single or multiple), embryo transfer births, fostered calves, breed of dam, proportion purebred and age of dam. Genetic trends were estimated by regressing estimated breeding values for animals on their year of birth. Trends in birth weight, 200-day weight and 400-day weight between 1970 and 1992 were approximately 0·09, 0·73 and 1·38 kg per annum respectively for the Charolais breed; 0·08, 0·76 and 1·33 kg per annum for the Simmental; 0·06, 0·53 and 0·89 kg per annum for the Limousin; 0·12, 1·02 and 1·86 kg per annum for the Aberdeen Angus; and 0·03, 0·38 and 0·82 kg per annum for the South Devon breed.

Genetic analysis for gestation length, birth weight, weaning weight, and accumulated productivity in Nellore beef cattle

2014 ◽  
Vol 170 ◽  
pp. 16-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatiane C.S. Chud ◽  
Sabrina L. Caetano ◽  
Marcos E. Buzanskas ◽  
Daniela A. Grossi ◽  
Diego G.F. Guidolin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Genetic Analysis ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Weaning Weight

scholarly journals BREED OF DAM, AGE OF DAM AND SEX OF CALF EFFECTS IN THE CANADIAN SIMMENTAL YOUNG SIRE PROVING PROGRAM

1984 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
R. A. KEMP ◽  
L. R. SCHAEFFER ◽  
J. W. WILTON
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Genetic Relationships ◽  
Residual Effects ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Calving Ease ◽  
Sire Evaluation ◽  
Unbiased Estimates ◽  
Best Linear Unbiased

Canadian Simmental Association Young Sire Proving Program records (1978–1982) were used to estimate breed of dam by age of dam by sex of calf effects for several traits. Two models were used. Model 1 included fixed herd-years, breed of dam by age of dam by sex of calf (BAX) plus random sire and residual effects. Model 2 included fixed herd-year by sex of calf and breed of dam by age of dam (BA) plus random sire and residual effects. Both models included additive genetic relationships among sires and maternal grandsires. Traits used with Model 1 were gestation length (GL), calving ease (CE), birth weight (BW), gain on dam (GD) and 200-day weight (WW). Model 2 was used for gain on test (GT) and 365-day weight (YW). Mixed model techniques were used to obtain best linear unbiased estimates of BAX and BA from models 1 and 2, respectively. Hypothesis tests were conducted using two breed of dam groups ([Formula: see text] Simmental (S) and [Formula: see text] British breeds (B)) and four age of dam groups (2, 3, 4 and 5 + yr which correspond to < 31, 31–42, 43–54 and > 54 mo, respectively). Three-way subclasses (BAX) were significant (P < 0.01) for GL, CE, BW, GD and WW as were two-way subclasses (BA) for YW. Estimated differences for breed of dam by age of dam by six of calf subclasses (for GL, CE, BW, GD, WW) and breed of dam by age of dam subclasses (for YW) generally increased as age of dam increased. Accounting for breed of dam, age of dam, sex of calf and interaction effects are important in sire evaluation. Estimated differences of these effects, a by-product of sire evaluation, can be used to increase the accuracy of procedures for individual and dam evaluation. Key words: Breed of dam by age of dam by sex of calf effects, sire evaluation, mixed model techniques

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