Economic weights of current and new breeding objective traits in Aberdeen Angus

Breeding values estimated for growth, calving performance, and exterior traits are currently combined into simple selection indices for bulls, cows, and heifers of the Aberdeen Angus breed. To establish a comprehensive economic index for this breed, the absolute and relative economic weights (EW) for a complex of 16 production, functional, carcass, and feed efficiency traits were calculated. The absolute EW of a trait expressed the difference in the present values of profit that will be obtained from the descendants of a bull with the average breeding value for this trait, and descendants of a bull with the breeding value one unit higher than the average one. The relative EW of a trait was defined as the standardised EW of a trait (i.e. EW per genetic standard deviation) expressed as percentage of the sum of standardised EWs of all evaluated traits. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to explore the EW of traits under variable production and economic conditions. Variability in the marketing strategy, in product prices and costs, and in trait means was considered in this analysis. Relative EW of the feed efficiency of breeding heifers and of cows reached 4%. The highest relative EW was obtained in three growth traits: weight gains of calves from birth to 120, from 120 to 210, and from 210 to 365 days of age (66% combined). The survival rate of calves until weaning and cow productive lifetime reached 11% and 8% of the total economic importance of traits, respectively. These growth and functional traits accounted for 84% (in marketing strategy involving selling breeding animals) to 90% (in populations with high growth intensity) of the total economic weight of all 16 evaluated traits. Therefore, these traits should be considered as new selection criteria when constructing a comprehensive selection index for the Czech Aberdeen Angus population in future.

Download Full-text

Claw health and feed efficiency as new selection criteria in the Czech Holstein cattle Krupová Z., Wolfová M., Krupa E., Přibyl J., Zavadilová L.

Czech Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.17221/44/2018-cjas ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 63 (No. 10) ◽

pp. 408-418 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Z. Krupová ◽

M. Wolfová ◽

E. Krupa ◽

J. Přibyl ◽

L. Zavadilová

Keyword(s):

Feed Intake ◽

Feed Efficiency ◽

Disease Incidence ◽

Selection Index ◽

Residual Feed Intake ◽

Selection Response ◽

Holstein Cattle ◽

Breeding Objective ◽

Economic Weights ◽

The Impact

The objective of this study was to calculate economic weights for ten current breeding objective traits and for four new traits characterising claw health and feed efficiency in Czech Holstein cattle and to investigate the impact of different selection indices on the genetic responses for these traits. Economic weights were estimated using a bio-economic model, while applying actual (2017) and predicted (2025) production and economic circumstances. For the actual situation, the economic weights of claw disease incidence were –100.1 € per case, and those of daily residual feed intake in cows, breeding heifers, and fattened animals were –79.37, –37.16, and –6.33 €/kg dry matter intake per day, respectively. In the predicted situation, the marginal economic weights for claw disease and feed efficiency traits increased on average by 38% and 20%, respectively. The new traits, claw disease incidence and daily residual feed intake, were gradually added to the 17 current Holstein selection index traits to improve the new traits. Constructing a comprehensive index with 21 traits and applying the general principles of the selection index theory, a favourable annual genetic selection response was obtained for the new traits (–0.008 cases of claw disease incidence and –0.006 kg of daily residual feed intake across all cattle categories), keeping the annual selection response of the most important current breeding objective traits at a satisfactory level (e.g., 73 kg of milk yield per lactation, 0.016% of milk fat). Claw health and feed efficiency should be defined as new breeding objectives and new selection index traits of local dairy population.

Download Full-text

179 Breeding for enhancing feed efficiency in dairy cattle

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz258.379 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 183-184

Author(s):

Flavio Schenkel ◽

Luiz Brito ◽

Hinayah Oliveira ◽

Tatiane Chud ◽

David Seymour ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cattle ◽

Feed Efficiency ◽

Selection Index ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Genetic Selection ◽

Methane Emissions ◽

Genome Project ◽

Nutrient Loss ◽

Breeding Value ◽

Selection For

Abstract Genetically selecting for improved feed efficiency has been recognized by the dairy cattle industry as an important economic and environmental goal. Improved feed efficiency has the potential to significantly reduce costs, improving dairy farmers’ profitability and, at the same time, minimize environmental impact, for example by reducing nutrient loss in manure and methane emissions. Feed efficiency is recognized as a complex trait that may be define in different ways, but it generally describes units of product output per unit of feed required. An overview of genetic selection for improved feed efficiency and international initiatives to implement genomic selection for feed efficiency in dairy cattle is presented. In general, studies have indicated that feed efficiency, defined and assessed in alternative ways, is moderately heritable and genetic selection could be successfully implemented. Various initiatives around the world have worked collaboratively to carried out research and create reference datasets for joint genomic evaluations. An example is the large international Efficient Dairy Genome Project (EDGP) led by Canada. The EDGP database was developed in 2017 to allow data sharing among the international collaborators. Currently, the database contains genotypes and records on feed intake of 5,289 cows and on methane emissions of 1,337 cows from eight research herds in six countries (Australia, Canada, Denmark, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States). Genetic parameters (heritability and genetic correlations) were estimated for dry matter intake, metabolic body weight and energy corrected milk at two time-periods: a) 5–60 DIM and b) 60–150 DIM. These parameters provide a basis for development of breeding value estimation procedures and subsequent selection index for feed efficiency, which will incorporate genomic information.

Download Full-text

USE OF SELECTION INDICES IN BREEDING WORK

Bulletin Samara State Agricultural Academy ◽

10.12737/27846/ ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 114-120

Author(s):

Игорь Ефимов ◽

Igor' Efimov ◽

Татьяна Усова ◽

Tatiana Usova ◽

Ольга Юдина ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Selection Index ◽

Animal Husbandry ◽

Breeding Value ◽

Federal State ◽

Breeding Work ◽

Selection Indices ◽

On Line ◽

The Difference ◽

Livestock Products ◽

Line Analysis

The aim of the study is to develop an effective selective index adapted to the conditions of the country, taking into account the national priorities of consumption of livestock products. Selection indices, which are widely used in de-veloped countries with high scientific and production potential in the field of animal husbandry, have been ana-lyzed. They can be divided into three groups. The first group includes five countries where a simplified version of the calculation of selective indices is used. The second group includes nine countries, which are rather complex for on-line analysis of the selection indices. The third group included countries in the breeding work of which com-bined breeding indices are used. The rating of the most valuable bulls of the Federal state unitary enterprise «Mos-kovskoye» on breeding work made with application of the most widespread selection indexes is given. Selection indices, with the similarity of the methods of their calculation, need some adjustment to be used in our country. A selection index is developed and presented under the name UI (combined index). The developed index UI in 83% of cases coincides with the index ASI (Australia), in the remaining 17% of cases the difference does not exceed 0.5 rank. With the index PIN (England) differences are more significant, in 34% of cases there is a complete coinci-dence of estimates, in 50% – the differences are only 1 rank and only in one case the discrepancy is significant enough. The index of INET (the most frequently used by breeders in Europe) coincides with the evaluation of breeding value of animals in 100% of cases. The new index is supposed to be used in the work with dairy breeds.

Download Full-text

PENGARUH SUBSTITUSI DEDAK DENGAN TEPUNG AMPAS KELAPA TERFERMENTASI TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN DAN EFISIENSI PAKAN IKAN PATIN (Pangasius sp.)

Jurnal Akuakultur Rawa Indonesia ◽

10.36706/jari.v6i1.7150 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 65-76

Author(s):

Yespus . ◽

Mohamad Amin ◽

Yulisman .

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Survival Rate ◽

Feed Efficiency ◽

Feed Consumption ◽

Study Program ◽

Feed Formulation ◽

Randomized Design ◽

Absolute Growth ◽

The Absolute ◽

The Difference

ABSTRACTCoconut dregs is waste from coconut milk production. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of fermented coconut dregs feeding on the growth and efficiency of catfish feed and to know the exact percentage in feed formulation on catfish. This research was conducted from November to December 2017 at Aquaculture Laboratory of Aquaculture Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture, Sriwijaya University. This study used a complete randomized design with 5 treatments and 2 replications. The treatment was used the difference of percentage of the fermented coconut dregs flour in the formulation of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%. Data to be collected include growth, survival, feed efficiency, formulated analysis of each treatment consisting of water, ash, protein, fat, carbohydrate, and crude fiber and water quality. The result of this research showed that the absolute growth of lengthy P4 is 0.54 cm, the absolute growth of weight P4 is 1.42 g, the best feed consumption in P0 with total feed consumption is 3.43 g.individu-1, feed efficiency P4 is 47.82% and survival rate P4 is 87.50%. Water quality during research were still optimum for catfish with temperature 26.0-29.0oC, pH 6.5-8.1, DO 4.57-8.86 mg.L-1 and ammonia 0.003-0.02 mg.L-1. Keywords: Catfish, Coconut dregs, Feed efficiency, Fermentation, Growth

Download Full-text

Translocation Relative to Range

Methodology ◽

10.1027/1614-2241.4.3.132 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

pp. 132-138 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Michael Höfler

Keyword(s):

Risk Difference ◽

Binary Outcomes ◽

Number Needed To Treat ◽

Likert Scales ◽

Psychological Science ◽

The Absolute ◽

The Difference ◽

Variance Parameters ◽

Standardized Index ◽

Maximum Possible Magnitude

A standardized index for effect intensity, the translocation relative to range (TRR), is discussed. TRR is defined as the difference between the expectations of an outcome under two conditions (the absolute increment) divided by the maximum possible amount for that difference. TRR measures the shift caused by a factor relative to the maximum possible magnitude of that shift. For binary outcomes, TRR simply equals the risk difference, also known as the inverse number needed to treat. TRR ranges from –1 to 1 but is – unlike a correlation coefficient – a measure for effect intensity, because it does not rely on variance parameters in a certain population as do effect size measures (e.g., correlations, Cohens d). However, the use of TRR is restricted on outcomes with fixed and meaningful endpoints given, for instance, for meaningful psychological questionnaires or Likert scales. The use of TRR vs. Cohens d is illustrated with three examples from Psychological Science 2006 (issues 5 through 8). It is argued that, whenever TRR applies, it should complement Cohens d to avoid the problems related to the latter. In any case, the absolute increment should complement d.

Download Full-text

The Issue of Sustainability in Third World Food Production (The Distinguishedl Lecture)

The Pakistan Development Review ◽

10.30541/v31i4ipp.511-534 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 31 (4I) ◽

pp. 511-534

Author(s):

Winfried Von Urff

Keyword(s):

Developing Countries ◽

Population Growth ◽

Food Production ◽

Third World ◽

Total Population ◽

Absolute Number ◽

Comprehensive Analysis ◽

World Food ◽

The Absolute ◽

The Difference

In spite of the fact that food production in developing countries doubled over the last 25 years undernutrition is still widely spread. At the beginning of the eighties, according to FAO, 335 to 494 million people in developing countries suffered from serious undernutrition the difference being due to different concepts to determine undernutrition on which scientist were unable to find a consensus.) Unfortunately there is no recent comprehensive analysis of the food situation comparable to those of previous World Food Surveys but it can be taken for sure that the absolute number of undernourished has increased. According to unofficial FAO sources a figure of 870 million was estimated for 1990 (22 percent of the total population in developing countries) using the same concept that led to the figure of 494 million in 1979-81 (23 percent of the total population in developing countries) which means that most probably the number of undernourished increased at a rate slightly less than population growth.

Download Full-text

Optimal breeding-value prediction using a Sparse Selection Index

Genetics ◽

10.1093/genetics/iyab030 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Marco Lopez-Cruz ◽

Gustavo de los Campos

Keyword(s):

Sample Size ◽

Dna Sequences ◽

Genomic Prediction ◽

Prediction Accuracy ◽

Regularization Parameter ◽

Selection Index ◽

Prediction Method ◽

Training Data ◽

Breeding Value ◽

Data Set

Abstract Genomic prediction uses DNA sequences and phenotypes to predict genetic values. In homogeneous populations, theory indicates that the accuracy of genomic prediction increases with sample size. However, differences in allele frequencies and in linkage disequilibrium patterns can lead to heterogeneity in SNP effects. In this context, calibrating genomic predictions using a large, potentially heterogeneous, training data set may not lead to optimal prediction accuracy. Some studies tried to address this sample size/homogeneity trade-off using training set optimization algorithms; however, this approach assumes that a single training data set is optimum for all individuals in the prediction set. Here, we propose an approach that identifies, for each individual in the prediction set, a subset from the training data (i.e., a set of support points) from which predictions are derived. The methodology that we propose is a Sparse Selection Index (SSI) that integrates Selection Index methodology with sparsity-inducing techniques commonly used for high-dimensional regression. The sparsity of the resulting index is controlled by a regularization parameter (λ); the G-BLUP (the prediction method most commonly used in plant and animal breeding) appears as a special case which happens when λ = 0. In this study, we present the methodology and demonstrate (using two wheat data sets with phenotypes collected in ten different environments) that the SSI can achieve significant (anywhere between 5-10%) gains in prediction accuracy relative to the G-BLUP.

Download Full-text

Additive and non-additive genetic effects of growth-curve parameters of Holstein, Ayrshire and crossbred females

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas94-058 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 74 (3) ◽

pp. 401-409 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

D. Perotto ◽

R. I. Cue ◽

A. J. Lee ◽

A. J. McAllister ◽

J. R. Batra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Rate ◽

Dairy Cattle ◽

Growth Curve ◽

Growth Traits ◽

Individual Performance ◽

Breeding Value ◽

Average Lifetime ◽

Additive Effects ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Maternal Performance

Crossbreeding parameters (line additive, dominance and additive × additive epistatic effects for individual and for maternal performance) on growth traits of females from a crossbreeding experiment between Holstein-based (HS) and Ayrshire-based (AS) lines were estimated by individual animal models, incorporating all known additive genetic relationships among animals, through restricted maximum likelihood and mixed-model methodologies. The growth traits [asymptotic weight (A), rate parameter (k), inflection parameter (m), average lifetime absolute growth rate (AGR), average lifetime absolute maturing rate (AMR) and average lifetime relative growth rate (RGR)] were estimated by fitting the Richards function to the observed growth curve of 3076 individuals. The statistical model included the random effect of the animal breeding value and the fixed effects of genetic group and station–year–season of birth. Results indicated that the HS exceeded (P < 0.001) the AS in additive effects for individual performance for both A and AGR. The HS exceeded (P < 0.05) the AS in additive effects for maternal performance for A. Individual heterosis was positive for A (P < 0.001) and for AGR (P < 0.01). Maternal heterosis was negative for A (P < 0.05) and positive for AMR (P < 0.05). Total heterosis (TH) had positive effects on both AGR and AMR (P < 0.05). Heterosis retained in advanced crossbred generations was not significant (P > 0.05) for any of the studied traits. The results suggest that crossbreeding designed to exploit TH can alter the shape of the growth curve of dairy cattle. Key words: Crossbreeding, dairy cattle, growth curve

Download Full-text

II. On the electro-chemical equivalent of silver, and on the absolute electromotive force of clark cells

Proceedings of the Royal Society of London ◽

10.1098/rspl.1883.0130 ◽

1883 ◽

Vol 36 (228-231) ◽

pp. 448-450

Keyword(s):

Electromotive Force ◽

British Association ◽

General Character ◽

Daily Work ◽

The Absolute ◽

The Difference

The investigations upon this subject which have been carried on by Mrs. Sidgwick and myself during the last year and a half, though not yet quite finished, are so far advanced that no doubt remains as to the general character of the results; and as these results have application in the daily work of practical electricians, it is thought desirable to communicate them without further delay. The currents are measured by balancing the attraction and repulsion of coaxal coils against known weights, as described before the British Association in 1882, a method which has fully answered the favourable expectations then expressed. To what was said on that occasion it will be sufficient for the present to add that the readings are taken by reversal of the current in the fixed coils, and the difference of weights thus found (about 1 gram) represents the double force of attraction, free from errors depending upon the connections of the suspended coil, and other sources of disturbance.

Download Full-text