The effects of selection for lean growth in Suffolk sires on the saleable meat yield of their crossbred progeny

1996 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 255-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Simm ◽  
S. V. Murphy

AbstractThis experiment involved a commercial evaluation of carcasses of extensively reared crossbred lambs. These were sired by Suffolk rams from either a selection line or a control line of a Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) selection experiment, in which selection wasfor lean growth, or by Suffolk ‘reference sires’ from an industry co-operative breeding scheme (SSRS). The lambs were slaughtered at a target live weight of 42 kg between June and October 1992. In total, 421 lamb carcasses were included in the evaluation, 173 from six selection-line rams, 193 from six control-line rams and 55from three SSRS rams. Each of the carcasses was visually appraised for estimated subcutaneous fat proportion and for conformation of the shoulder, loin and leg, as well as being classified using conventional Meat and Livestock Commission (MLC) scales for fat and conformation. Animals were slaughtered at an average age of 139·5 (s.d. 25·6) days and achieved an average cold carcass weight of 20·04 (s.d. 0·96) kg. Carcasses had an average estimated subcutaneous fat proportion of 122·3 (s.d. 22·4) g/kg — equivalent to MLC fat class 3L to 3H. Overall conformation scores, on a 15-point scale, averaged 8·63 (s.d. 1·80) points. Carcasses were cut into joints according to a leading supermarket specification. The weights of pairs of shoulder, flank, loin and leg joints were obtained for each carcass, as well as weights of bone and fat removed during jointing. Saleable meat weights and proportions averaged 15·31 (s.d. 0·76) kg and 765·9 (s.d. 10·0) g/kg respectively. At a constant carcass weight, the SAC selection-line progeny were significantly younger (-11 days), had a significantly higher carcass value (+£1·50), a significantly lower estimated subcutaneous fat proportion (-13 g/kg), and a significantly higher weight of saleable meat (+0·1 kg) and higher proportion ofsaleable meat (+4 glkg) than control-line progeny, but had lower conformation scores. SSRS progeny had similar growth and fatness to selection-line lambs, but had poorer conformation, and significantly more bone in the carcass than either of the SAC lines. When comparisons were made at a constant estimated subcutaneous fat proportion, all differences in conformation between SAC lines disappeared. However, SSRS progeny remained poorer in conformation. The SSRS rams werefrom afoundation generation of the scheme, and were not expected to be markedly superior for carcass characteristics. Carcass weight was byfar the most important predictor of weight of saleable meat, or leg and loin joint weights. Conformation and estimated fat proportion made only marginal improvements, if any, to the precision of prediction, with fat proportion being the more important of the two predictors.

1994 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 263-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. D. Cameron ◽  
M. K. Curran

AbstractResponses to divergent selection for lean growth rate with ad-libitum feeding (LGA), for lean food conversion (LFC) and for daily food intake (DFI) in Landrace pigs were studied. Selection was practised for four generations with a generation interval ofl year. A total of 2642 pigs were performance tested in the high, low and control lines, with an average of 37 boars and 39 gilts performance tested per selection line in each generation. The average within-line inbreeding coefficient at generation four was equal to 0·04. There was one control line for the DFI and LFC selection groups and another control line for the LGA selection group. Animals were performance tested in individual pens with mean starting and finishing weights of 30 kg and 85 kg respectively with ad-libitum feeding. The selection criteria had phenotypic s.d. of 32, 29 and 274 units, for LGA, LFC and DFI, respectively, and results are presented in phenotypic s.d.Cumulative selection differentials (CSD) were 5·1, 4·5 and 5·5 phenotypic s.d. for LGA, LFC and DFI, respectively. Direct responses to selection were 1·4,1·1 and 0·9 (s.e. 0·20) for LGA, LFC and DFI. In each of the three selection groups, the CSD and direct responses to selection were symmetric about the control lines. The correlated response in LFC (1·1, s.e. 0·19) with selection on LGA was equal to the direct response in LFC. In contrast, the direct response in LGA was greater than the correlated response (0·7, s.e. 0·18) with selection on LFC. There was a negative correlated response in DFI (-0·6, s.e. 0·18) with selection on LFC, but the response with selection on LGA was not significant (0·2, s.e. 0·16).Heritabilities for LGA, LFC and DFI ivere 0·25, 0·25 and 0·18 (s.e. 0·03), when estimated by residual maximum likelihood, with common environmental effects of 0·12 (s.e. 0·02). Genetic correlations for LFC with LGA and DFI were respectively positive (0·87, s.e. 0·02) and negative (-0·36, s.e. 0·09), while the genetic correlation between DFI and LGA was not statistically different from zero, 0·13 (s.e. 0·10). Selection on components of efficient lean growth has identified LGA as an effective selection objective for improving both LGA and LFC, without a reduction in DFI.


2001 ◽  
Vol 81 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Chen ◽  
T. J. Baas ◽  
J. C. M. Dekkers ◽  
L. L. Christian

Selection for lean growth rate (LGR) was conducted for four generations in a synthetic line of Yorkshire-Meishan pigs to study the effectiveness of selection for LGR and correlated responses in litter traits. Lean growth rate was estimated from ultrasound measurements of 10th-rib backfat thickness and longissimus muscle area. In the selection line, 7 boars and 20 gilts with the highest LGR were selected to produce the next generation. The generation interval was 13 mo and the average selection differential per generation was 1.1 phenotypic standard deviation units. A contemporaneous control line was maintained by randomly selecting 5 boars and 15 gilts. Data from a total of 1057 pigs sired by 58 boars and out of 133 sows were available from the two lines. Selection responses were estimated from deviations of the selection line from the control line using least squares (LS) and by multiple trait derivative-free restricted maximum likelihood analysis using an animal model (AM). The estimate of response to selection per generation using LS was 9.4 ± 0.95 g d–1 for LGR. The corresponding estimate from the AM was 9.8 ± 0.51 g d–1. Correlated responses in litter traits were regressed on generation. For the LS method, regression coefficients were negative but not significant (P > 0.05) for total number born, number born alive, and number at 21 d and at 42 d. Significant, positive correlated responses occurred in 42-d litter weight and 21-d piglet weight (P < 0.05). For the AM method, the regression coefficients were also negative, but were not significant (P > 0.05) for numberalive at birth, at 21 d, and at 42 d. A significant positive correlated response occurred only for 42-d litter weight (P < 0.05). Although results are based on a population of limited size, it can be concluded that selection for LGR in a synthetic line is effective and should have little effect on litter traits. Key words: Pigs, selection, lean growth rate, correlated response


1991 ◽  
Vol 42 (8) ◽  
pp. 1373 ◽  
Author(s):  
HM Burrow ◽  
HM Burrow ◽  
B Gulbransen ◽  
B Gulbransen ◽  
SK Johnson ◽  
...  

Thirty-five steers and 37 heifers were grown at pasture and finished in a feedlot to meet Australian domestic market specifications, i.e. 160-200 kg carcass weight with 5-9 mm subcutaneous fat at the P8 rump site. The animals were from lines that had been selected for either high growth rate to 600 days (UPWT) or for low rectal temperature under conditions of high ambient temperatures (TEMP) and from a control line (CONT). They were slaughtered in six groups at fortnightly intervals when liveweight of individuals was estimated to satisfy market requirements. Animals from the UPWT line were heavier at all ages than animals from the TEMP and CONT lines (P< 0.05) and had higher liveweight gains at pasture (P < 0.01). There was no difference between the lines in liveweight gains in the feedlot. At the same carcass weight, UPM animals had leaner carcasses (P < 0.01) but similar levels of marbling to CONT line animals. TEMP line animals were also leaner than CONT line animals (P < 0.0l ) , but had more marbling (P<0.01). There was no significant difference between lines in feed conversion efficiency. Steers were heavier (P < 0.001) than heifers at all ages, grew faster (P < 0.001) except during the immediate post-castration period, had higher feed intakes (P < 0.05) but better feed conversion efficiencies (P < 0.05), and at the same carcass weight were leaner (P < 0-01) and had less marbling (P < 0.05). Meat colour, cooking loss, ultimate pH and meat tenderness did not differ significantly between lines or sexes. These results are discussed with reference to the use of selection for growth or heat resistance to improve growth and carcass traits of beef herds in tropical areas.


1970 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 491-497 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. H. MARTIN ◽  
H. T. FREDEEN ◽  
J. A. NEWMAN

Data over two years on a total of 149 Shorthorn bulls from a closed herd under direct selection for yearling weight were used to examine line differences in carcass yield and quality and to evaluate relationships between live performance and carcass yield and quality. No significant differences [Formula: see text] in performance or carcass data between control and selected lines were apparent in 1967. However, in 1968 bulls from the selected line were heavier at slaughter (470.5 kg vs. 441.8 kg), their carcasses contained more kidney fat (9.14 kg vs. 8.46 kg), and they had larger loin eye area but smaller weight-adjusted loin eye area. Rate of gain was superior for the selected line whether examined as live-weight, carcass weight, trimmed primal cut weight or lean weight per day of age. There were no significant differences between lines for percent fat, lean or bone in primal cuts, or for rib fat thickness, percent trimmed prime cuts, percent seam fat, muscle/bone and hind/front ratios, or for chemical composition or tenderness evaluations of the longissimus dorsi. Averaged over the two years and at the same averaged slaughter weights (418 days), selected-line bulls produced a significantly greater quantity of total carcass, of trimmed primal cuts and of total lean than did the control-line bulls; selection for yearling weight appeared to have been effective in increasing rate of lean growth. Phenotypic correlations indicated that liveweight/day of age was more highly related to variation in lean growth rate than growth rate of fat. From 20 to 60% of the variation in wholesale cut weights was associated with differences in rate of gain. Distribution of the gains was little influenced by rate of gain. Tenderness evaluations were not related to live performance.


2002 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Simm ◽  
R.M. Lewis ◽  
B. Grundy ◽  
W.S. Dingwall

AbstractThis paper reports the selection responses achieved, and related results, following 9 years of index selection for lean growth in Suffolk sheep. The breeding goal of the index used comprised carcass lean weight and carcass fat weight at a constant age, with relative economic values of + 3 and –1 per kg. The selection criteria were live weight (LWT), ultrasonic fat depth (UFD) and ultrasonic muscle depth (UMD) adjusted to a constant age of 150 days. By year 9, responses in LWT, UFD and UMD in both sexes, as judged by the divergence between selection and control line performance, amounted to 4·88 kg, -1·1 mm and 2·8 mm respectively; these responses are between 7 and 15% of the overall means of the traits concerned. Although selection was originally on index scores based on phenotypic records, the retrospective analyses reported here used the mixed model applications of residual maximum likelihood to estimate parameters and best linear unbiased prediction to predict breeding values. The statistical model comprised fixed effects plus random effects accounting for direct additive, maternal additive and temporary environmental variation. Estimated genetic trends obtained by regressing estimated breeding values on year of birth were similar to annual responses estimated by comparing selection and control line means. Estimates of direct heritabilities were 0·054, 0·177, 0·286, 0·561 and 0·410 for birth weight (BWT), weaning weight (WWT), LWT, UFD and UMD respectively. Corresponding estimates of maternal heritabilities were 0·287, 0·205, 0·160, 0·083 and 0·164. Phenotypic correlations between all pairs of traits were positive and usually moderately high. There were low negative direct additive correlations between BWT and WWT, and between BWT and LWT, but higher positive maternal additive correlations between all other pairs of weight traits.


1998 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 299-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Conington ◽  
S. C. Bishop ◽  
A. Waterhouse ◽  
G. Simm

AbstractAn experimental programme was initiated in 1990 to investigate the consequences of selection for reduced fatness in hill sheep and to estimate genetic parameters for carcass traits in the same class of animal. Thirty-two progeny groups of lambs were born as a result of mating Scottish Blackface rams to ewes of the same breed on two Scottish Agricultural College hill farms in 1991 and 1992. Sires were from two divergent selection lines for subcutaneous back fat depth and were selected under ad libitum feeding conditions on an index combining live weight and ultrasonic fat depth at 20 weeks of age. The index was designed to alter body composition but not body weight. Weaned male progeny (reared extensively) were brought together from both farms in August of each year, reared on grass and finished for slaughter on swedes at a target condition score of 3. Measurements taken at weaning were: live weight, average ultrasonic measurements of average subcutaneous fat depth and muscle depth. At slaughter, traits measured were: pre-slaughter live weight, pre-slaughter condition score, age at slaughter, cold carcass weight, killing-out proportion, Meat and Livestock Commission (MLC) fat class and MLC conformation class. Side and shoulder dissections were made on proportionally 0·2 and 0·8 of lambs respectively and lean tissue, subcutaneous fat, intermuscular fat and bone were measured. Comparisons were made between the two genetic lines and genetic parameters were estimated from data adjusted to three different ‘end-points’: constant dissected subcutaneous fat weight, constant age at slaughter and constant cold carcass weight. Moderate to low heritability estimates were obtained for most traits: pre-slaughter live weight = 0·36, cold carcass weight = 0·39, fat class = 0·13, conformation class = 0·09, lean weight = 0·27, bone weight = 0·36 (constant subcutaneous fatness), intermuscular fat = 0·20, subcutaneous fat = 0·20 (constant cold carcass weight). Correlations between ultrasonic measurements at weaning, and slaughter and dissected carcass components were moderate to weak. However, there is sufficient genetic variation in the carcass traits to warrant inclusion in breeding goals for hill sheep. The results also show that genetic differences obtained by selection under intensive rearing conditions for divergent fatness are also seen in progeny reared under extensive (hill) conditions.


1990 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Mrode ◽  
C. Smith ◽  
R. Thompson

ABSTRACTSelection of bulls for rate and efficiency of lean gain was studied in a herd of Hereford cattle. There were two selection lines, one selected for lean growth rate (LGR) from birth to 400 days and the other for lean food conversion ratio (LFCR) from 200 to 400 days of age, for a period of 8 years. A control line bred by frozen semen from foundation bulls was also maintained. Generation interval was about 2·4 years and average male selection differentials, per generation were 1·2 and — 1·1 phenotypic standard deviation units for LGR and LFCR respectively.Genetic parameters and responses to selection were estimated from the deviation of the selected lines from a control line and by restricted maximum likelihood (REML) techniques on the same material. Realized heritabilities were 0·40 (s.e. 0·12) for LGR and 0·40 (s.e. 0·13) for LFCR using the control line. Corresponding estimates from REML were 0·42 (s.e. 0·10) and 0·37 (s.e. 0·14). The estimate of the genetic correlation between LGR and LFCR was about — 0·69 (s.e. 0·12) using REML.The estimates of direct annual genetic change using deviations from the control were 3·6 (s.e. 1·3) g/day for LGR and — 0·14 (s.e. 0·07) kg food per kg lean gain for LFCR. Corrsponding estimates from REML were similar but more precisely estimated. The correlated responses for LFCR in the LGR line was higher than the direct response for LFCR.


1999 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. F. Carson ◽  
B. W. Moss ◽  
R. W. J. Steen ◽  
D. J. Kilpatrick

AbstractThis study investigated the effects of the percentage of Texel or Rouge de l’Ouest (Rouge) genes in lambs (0, 50, 75 or 100%; the remainder being Greyface (Border Leicester × Scottish Blackface)) on lamb carcass characteristics and meat quality. Ewe lambs were slaughtered at 34, 40, 46 and 52 kg and ram lambs were slaughtered at 40, 46, 52 and 58 kg live weight. Dressing proportion increased (P < 0·001) by 0·53 and 0·27 g carcass weight per kg live weight for each 1% increase in Texel or Rouge genes respectively. Carcass conformation classification increased (P < 0·001) by 0·016 and 0·007 units (on a five-point scale) for each 1% increase in Texel or Rouge genes respectively. Carcass fat depth measures were reduced by Texel and Rouge genes such that at a constant fat depth end point, carcass weight could be increased by 0·029 and 0·023 kg for each 1% increase in Texel or Rouge genes. Carcass lean content increased (P < 0·001) by 0·99 and 0·27 g/kg for each 1% increase in Texel or Rouge genes. Subcutaneous fat content was reduced (P < 0·001) by 0·36 and 0·29 g/kg for each 1% increase in Texel or Rouge genes. Intermuscular fat content was reduced (P < 0·01) by 0·38 g/kg per 1% increase in Texel genes, whereas Rouge genes had no effect. Similarly, bone content was reduced (P < 0·01) by Texel genes only (0·31 g/kg per 1% increase in Texel genes). Warner-Bratzler shear force values showed a quadratic effect with increasing Texel and Rouge genes, with an initial decrease from 0 to 50% followed by an increase to 100%. Cooking loss increased (P = 0·05) as the percentage of Rouge genes in lambs increased. Increasing the percentage of Texel or Rouge genes significantly increased L* values (P < 0·01 and P < 0·05 respectively), b* values (P = 0·05 and P< 0·05 respectively) and H° values (P < 0·001).


Author(s):  
M.K. Curran ◽  
N.D. Cameron

To study responses to divergent selection for lean growth rate (LGA), lean food conversion ratio (LFC) and daily food intake (DFI), an experiment was started in 1984 at Edinburgh and Wye. This paper measured the selection pressure applied, the responses in the selection criteria and estimated the genetic and phenotypic relationships between the selection criteria with ad-libitum feeding of Landrace pigs after four generations of selection.The LGA (LFC) selection objective was to obtain equal correlated responses in growth rate (food conversion ratio) and carcass lean content, measured in phenotypic s.d. The LGA, LFC and DFI selection criteria had phenotypic s.d. of 32, 29 and 270 units and results are presented in s.d. units.Boars and gilts were purchased from eight British nucleus herds and boars from national artificial insemination centres in 1982. Homozygous or heterozygous halothane positive pigs were not included in the experiment. The base population consisted of 20 sires and 89 dams. Within each of the three selection groups, there were high and low selection lines with a control line, each consisting of 10 boars and 20 gilts, with a generation interval of one year. There were two control lines, one for LGA and one for LFC and DFI, as selection groups were arrowed continuously. The total number of pigs tested per line and average inbreeding coefficient at generation 4, within selection group are given below.


1997 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Morris ◽  
J. C. McEwan ◽  
P. F. Fennessy ◽  
W. E. Bain ◽  
G. J. Greer ◽  
...  

AbstractA selection experiment was established in Coopworth sheep in 1981 to breed for increased or reduced ultrasonic backfat depth (scan C). Foundation females came from four flocks recorded for scan C and live weight, with weight-adjusted scan C data within flock being used for initial screening and subsequent selection. Three groups of animals per source flock, comprising proportionally the fattest 0·12, a random sample, and the leanest 0·12, were used to establish the F, control and L lines, respectively. Ewe flock numbers from 1981 to 1992 averaged 51 per line. Foundation rams were selected in the same manner from four different farms (two sources each in 1981 and 1982) to provide F line (proportionally the fattest 0·04), control line and L line (leanest 0·04) rams for use in 1981 and 1982, with four mated per line per year. Thereafter homebred rams were selected, with 41 or 42 homebred rams being used per line until 1992. Average generation intervals were 2·13 years and annual inbreeding rates per line 0·004. Bivariate heritability estimates for log scan C and log live weight, and a univariate estimate for log scan C using restricted maximum likelihood with an animal model, were 0·28, 0·22 and 0·38, respectively (all with s.e. 0·03). There was a suggestion of lower heritabilities in the L line for log scan C after adjustment for live weight. Realized heritabilities in the F and L lines were 0·34 (s.e. 0·07) and 0·26 (s.e. 0·03), respectively. Deviations of back-transformed weight-adjusted scan C in the last 2 years ofF and L data analysed (1991 and 1992 birth years) from the control flocks were 2·08 and −0·85 mm, which corresponded to responses of +2·50 and −1·03 phenotypic standard deviations, respectively. In addition there were relatively large responses in live weight taken at scanning, with F and L lines averaging 34·0 and 40·2 kg, compared with 38·0 kg for controls in the 1991 and 1992 birth years. The genetic and phenotypic correlations between log scan C and log live weight at scanning were 0·16 (s.e. 0·07) and 0·46 (s.e. 0·01) respectively.


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