Maternal birth weight breeding value as an additional factor to predict calf birth weight in beef cattle.

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.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FAMILY FOR GENEALOGICAL STRUCTURE OF VOLYN BEEF OF CATTLE

Animal Breeding and Genetics ◽

10.31073/abg.52.11 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 52 ◽

pp. 82-94 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

A. Ye. Pochukalin

Keyword(s):

Beef Cattle ◽

Live Weight ◽

Breeding Value ◽

Farm Families ◽

Cattle Breeding ◽

Reproductive Ability ◽

The Family ◽

Minimum Number ◽

Related Group ◽

Economic Use

One of the ways of increasing level of animal economically useful traits is selection work with farm families. In pedigree cattle breeding of Ukraine families are a statistical component of breed genealogy. Among the main scientific works on working with families, it should be noted minimum number of female ancestors, proposed by D. T. Vinnichuk, to determine the breeding value, different categories, classification and techniques for evaluating related groups of females. The aim of our research was to analyse importance of farm families for genealogical structure of the breed. The research was on basis of data of primary breeding records at the herd of Volyn Beef cattle of “Zorya” breeding farm, Kovel district, Volyn region. Akula 102, Galka 37 and Galka 1537 families belonging to Krasavchyk 3004 bloodline, Smorodyna 613, Korona 2382 and Visla 1016 families – Tsebryk 3888 bloodline, Kalyna 212, Verba 1536 and Garna 536 families – Yamb 3066 bloodlines, Kazka 433, Galka 421 and Bystra 1124 families – Buinyi 3042 bloodline, Rozetka 1313, Arfa 599 and Bulana 943 families – Sonnyi-Kaktus 3307-9828 bloodline, and Palma 275, Desna 870 and Veselka 444 families – Mudryi 9100 bloodline were characterized. Belonging to a bloodline was determined by the father's side of female ancestors. Structural units of families: branches, branching with identifying the best individuals on breeding traits were submitted to identify the best combinations and successful use of closely related breeding. Comparing assessment of related groups of females on the main breeding traits belonging to Krasavchyk 3004 bloodline, it was noted that the cows of Akula 102 family predominated in live weight at 5 years’ age, milk ability and economic use duration, whereas the cows of Galka 1537 family – on traits of reproductive ability. Smorodyna 613 family of Tsebryk 3888 bloodline had high duration of economic use and cows’ live weight at 5 years’ age compared with Korana 2382 and Visla 1016 families with equal values of the exterior traits (height measures) and coefficient of reproductive ability. The families of Mudryi 9100 bloodline in terms of reproduction (calving interval, coefficient of reproductive ability) had the highest figures of cows’ milk ability and live weight. The cows of Bulana 943 family had a considerable predominance over representatives of Rozetka 1313 and Arfa 599 families of Sonnyi-Kaktus 3307-9828 bloodline by main economically useful traits. High indices of reproductive ability were noted in these families. Heifers of the families of Buinyi 3042 bloodline had high live weight at 18 months’ age at average values of milk ability and cows’ live weight at 5 years’ age. More equal figures of growth rate, exterior and economic use duration were observed in the cows of Kalyna 212, Verba 1536 and Garna 536 families of Yamb 3066 bloodline. Breeding by families in beef cattle breeding is an important element of selection, because it allows to evaluate not only related group of female ancestor, but also to analyse a successful combination with lines and purposeful use of closely related breeding by the best representatives of a breed.

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A GROWTH STUDY OF BEEF CATTLE

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas81-128 ◽

1981 ◽

Vol 61 (4) ◽

pp. 1041-1048 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

L. A. GOONEWARDENE ◽

R. T. BERG ◽

R. T. HARDIN

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Beef Cattle ◽

Inflection Point ◽

Prediction Errors ◽

Von Bertalanffy ◽

University Of Alberta ◽

Inflection Points ◽

Richards Function ◽

Residual Variances ◽

The University

Four growth equations (Richards, Brody, Von Bertalanffy and Logistic) were fitted to data from two breed groups of female beef cattle, purebred Hereford (HE) and synthetic of Charolais, Angus and Galloway (SY), which were maintained at the University of Alberta beef breeding research ranch at Kinsella, Alberta. All functions fitted three common parameters (an asymptote, an integration constant and a maturing rate parameter). Two functions (Von Bertalanffy and Logistic) had fixed inflection points while the Richards function fitted the inflection point as a fourth parameter. The Brody function had no inflection point. Based on the R2, mean prediction errors (MPE) and residual variances, the Richards function, with a variable inflection point, provided the best overall and the most consistent fit to both sets of data, followed by the Brody function with no inflection point. The Richards was the only function that could predict birth weight with any degree of accuracy. The Logistic and Von Bertalanffy functions, with fixed inflection points, provided poor estimates of actual weights at each end of the growth curve, overestimating birth weight and converging too early leading to underestimation of adult weight or the asymptote. Intermediate weights were reasonably well estimated by these functions. The HE group showed a 28% greater maturing rate compared with the SY based on the Richards function.

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PSXI-8 Heritability estimates of antibody- and cell-mediated immune response in north American angus beef cattle

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab235.446 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 244-245

Author(s):

Shannon Beard ◽

Doug C Hodgins ◽

Julie Schmied ◽

Jeff Caswell ◽

Michael M Lohuis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

Beef Cattle ◽

North American ◽

Animal Health ◽

Serum Antibody ◽

Intradermal Injection ◽

Breeding Value ◽

Breeding Programs ◽

Heritability Estimates

Abstract Including immune response traits in breeding programs has been suggested as a solution to improve overall animal health and enhance disease resistance but is not yet available for Angus cattle in North America. One way to measure immune response is to use the High Immune Response (HIR™) technology, which identifies animals with superior heritable immunity by evaluating antibody-mediated (AMIR) and cell-mediated (CMIR) immune response, allowing for the calculation of an estimated breeding value for total adaptive immune response for each animal. Before HIR™ can be included in beef cattle breeding programs, genetic parameters, including heritability, must be estimated for the traits involved. The objective of this study was to estimate a preliminary heritability for AMIR and CMIR in North American Angus beef cattle. On day 0 of the phenotyping protocol, cattle were immunized intramuscularly with a preparation of type 1 (CMIR) and type 2 (AMIR) antigens with adjuvant. On day 14, cattle received an intradermal injection of 0.1 mL of the CMIR test antigen in the right tail fold, and 0.1 mL PBS in the left tail fold. Change in cutaneous double skinfold thickness after 24 hours was used to assess CMIR. Blood was collected on days 0 and 14 to evaluate serum antibody to the type 2 antigen by ELISA to quantify AMIR. Heritability estimates were calculated for Canada and the USA separately, and then for both countries combined using single-trait animal models in ASReml and are presented in Table 1. The results of this study indicate that the heritabilities of AMIR and CMIR are moderate and emphasize the potential for its inclusion into Angus breeding schemes.

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Factors affecting growth traits of beef cattle breeds raised inSlovakia

Czech Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.17221/3990-cjas ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 50 (No. 1) ◽

pp. 14-21 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

E. Krupa ◽

M. Oravcová ◽

P. Polák ◽

J. Huba ◽

Z. Krupová

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Beef Cattle ◽

Least Squares ◽

Linear Model ◽

Growth Traits ◽

General Linear Model ◽

Weaning Weight ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Sex Effect ◽

Beef Cattle Breeds

Growth traits of purebred calves of six beef breeds (Aberdeen Angus – AA, Blonde d’Aquitaine – BA, Charolais – CH,Hereford – HE, Limousine – LI and Beef Simmental – BS) born from 1998 to 2002 were analysed. Traits under study were birth weight (BW), weight at 120 days (W120), weight at 210 days – weaning weight (WW), weight at 365 days – yearling weight (YW) and average daily gains from birth to 120 days (ADG1), from birth to 210 days (ADG2), from birth to 365 days (ADG3), from 120 to 210 days (ADG4). General linear model with class effects of breed, dam’s age at calving, sex, herd-year-season (HYS) and covariation of age at weighing was used for analyses. All effects significantly affected both weight and gain traits except for dam’s age that was significant for BW, W120, YW and ADG3, and age at weighing that was significant for W120, WW, YW, ADG2, ADG3, ADG4. Estimated least squares means of growth traits were compared using Scheffe’s multiple-range tests. Highest BW (40.57 kg) and W120 (172.43 kg) were found for BA calves. BS calves had highest WW (260.30 kg), YW (424.07 kg), ADG1 (1 154 g), ADG2 (1 053 g), ADG3 (1 054 g) and ADG4 (1 098 g). Highest BW, YW, ADG3 and ADG4 were found for males-singles. Males-twins had highest W120, WW, ADG1 and ADG2. Calves descending from 5–7 years old dams had highest BW, W120, WW, ADG1, ADG2 and ADG4. The proportion of variability of growth traits explained by HYS effect (42.96–71.69%) was high, whereas proportions of variability explained by SEX effect (2.03–5.77%), age of dam (1.02–2.24%) and breed (1.05–2.21%) were low. Residuals accounted for 23.71 up to 53.79% of total variance.  

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Bayesian analysis of selection for greater weaning weight while maintaining birth weight in beef cattle

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.2527/jas.2009-1801 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 87 (10) ◽

pp. 3089-3096 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

L. M. Melucci ◽

A. N. Birchmeier ◽

E. P. Cappa ◽

R. J. C. Cantet

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Beef Cattle ◽

Bayesian Analysis ◽

Weaning Weight ◽

Selection For

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EFFECTS OF YEARLING WEIGHT SELECTION IN SHORTHORN BEEF CATTLE ON AGE-OF-DAM ADJUSTMENT FACTORS

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas90-116 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 70 (3) ◽

pp. 963-965

Author(s):

J. C. OLTHOFF ◽

G. H. CROW ◽

G. W. RAHNEFELD

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Beef Cattle ◽

Key Words ◽

Selection Line ◽

Weaning Weight ◽

Performance Change ◽

Adjustment Factors ◽

Over Time

Lines within a breed which differ in their level of performance may require different age-of-dam adjustment factors in the same way that different breeds do. Age-of-dam adjustments calculated from a control and a yearling weight selection line indicated lower values in the selected line for calf birth weight, weaning weight and yearling weight for 2- and 4-yr-old dams. Trends for adjustment factors in each line over time were generally not significant but tended to diverge. Age-of-dam adjustment factors within a breed may need to be reevaluated at intervals as levels of performance change. Key words: Beef cattle, age of dam adjustment, selection, yearling weight

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

Czech Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.17221/7529-cjas ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 59 (No. 7) ◽

pp. 302-309 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

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.

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