Genetic correlations for daily gain between ram and ewe lambs fed in feedlot conditions and ram lambs fed in Pinpointer units.

The objective of this work was to determine the effect of lambing year, sire effect, parity of ewes’ lambing (PL) and gender on selected indicators of meat production and fertility in a Texel sheep herd. The evaluation proceeded for a period of 5 years, when 356 ewe – lambs and 321 Texel ram – lambs were monitored. Processing of the data set was done by the SAS program, GLM procedure. The lambing year had a significant effect (P < 0.05; 0.01) on all indicators observed except litter size. The sire effect was found to be significantly (P < 0.05; 0.01) related to all indicators monitored. The significant differences (P < 0.01) were found in fat thickness and lambs’ muscularity. The frequency of lambs’ gender was not significantly affected by the litter size and number of lambs weaned. Lambs’ gender affected the MLLT depth of lambs nonsignificantly. Litter size, as well as the number of weaned lambs, increased with the higher PL (1.44 with primiparas, 2.17 with ewes at the 5th and subsequent lambings, P < 0.01; resp. 1.31 with primiparas, 2.01 with ewes at the 5th and subsequent lambings, P < 0.01). The live weight at 100 days of age was significantly lower in lambs from the 5th and following litters, as well as the daily gain from birth till 100 days of age (DG 100) and MLLT depth in comparison to the 2nd, 3rd and 4th litters (P < 0.05). On the average, ram – lambs reached a higher live weight at 100 days of age (+1.79 kg, P < 0.01), and DG 100 in contrast to female (+17.22 g, P < 0.01).

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EFFECTS OF PLANE OF NUTRITION AND REARING METHOD ON YANKASA LAMBS: GROWTH RATE, SCROTAL DEVELOPMENT

Nigerian Journal of Animal Production ◽

10.51791/njap.v21i1.1149 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 ◽

pp. 101-104

Author(s):

G. N. Akpa ◽

N. I. Dim ◽

O. A. Osinowo ◽

E. O. Oyedipe

Keyword(s):

Growth Rate ◽

Body Weight ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Rearing Method ◽

Scrotal Circumference ◽

Ewe Lambs ◽

Males And Females ◽

Ram Lambs ◽

Rearing Methods ◽

Daily Gain

The study examined the effects of plane of nutrition and rearing method on growth rate, increase in scrotal size; and age, body weight and scrotal circumference at puberty, in Yankasa ram lambs. Thirty-six ram lambs and 18 ewe lambs with mean age and body weight of 1453±17.7 days and 10.1 1±2.6kg respectively were used for the four-month trial. Animalswere randomised in a 3x2 factorial design with plane of nutrition at 3 levels (low, medium and high) and rearing method at 2 levels (males alone and mixture of males and females). Plane of nutrition had bighly significant (P<0.01) effect on average daily gain (ADG). Animals on the low, medium and high planes gained daily 66.8±5.5, 77.8±5.6 and 89.0±5.6 respectively. Effects of plane of nutrition and rearing methods on changes in scrotal circumference were not significant. Age, body weight and scrotal circumference at puberty in the ram lambs averaged 232.5±12.7 days, 18.3±0.4 kg and 22.7±3.1 cm respectively. Body weight at puberty averaged 17.2±1.7, 18.6±0.9 and 19.0±1.4 kg for animals fed low, medium and high planes of nutrition respectively.

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Effects of Dietary Inclusion of Sericea Lespedeza Hay on Behavior, Heat Energy, and Ruminal Methane Emission by Growing Alpine Doelings and Katahdin Ewe Lambs

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab096.069 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 38-38

Author(s):

Wei L Wang ◽

Luana L Ribeiro ◽

Italo L Portugal ◽

Terry A Gipson ◽

Arthur L Goetsch

Keyword(s):

Methane Emission ◽

Species Differences ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Open Circuit ◽

Heat Energy ◽

Repeated Measure ◽

Lespedeza Cuneata ◽

Sericea Lespedeza ◽

Ewe Lambs ◽

Daily Gain

Abstract Twenty-four Alpine doelings (initial body weight (BW) and age of 25.3±0.55 kg and 10.4±0.11 mo, respectively) and 24 Katahdin ewe lambs (28.3±1.02 kg and 9.6±0.04 mo, respectively) were used to determine effects of dietary level of Sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata; 10% condensed tannins) on heat energy and ruminal emission of the greenhouse gas methane determined with an open-circuit calorimetry system. Pens with Calan feeding gates were used in the study with four 6–7-wk periods. Diets (i.e., treatments) consumed ad libitum were 75% ground hay, alfalfa, a 1:1 mixture of alfalfa and lespedeza (AL), and lespedeza. Data were analyzed with a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement of treatments, repeated measure of period, and a mixed effects model. Feeders were open 195 and 205 min/d for Alpine and Katahdin (SEM=9.8) and longer (P < 0.05) for diets with lespedeza (159, 209, and 231 min/d for alfalfa, AL, and lespedeza, respectively). Rate of dry matter intake (DMI) was greater (P < 0.05) for Katahdin vs. Alpine (10.2 and 6.1 g/min) and for alfalfa than for AL and lespedeza (11.1, 8.1, and 6.7 g/min, respectively). Heat energy was greater (P < 0.05) in MJ/d for Katahdin than for Alpine (10.19 vs. 7.90) and similar among diets (9.20, 9.40, and 8.53; SEM=0.266), but values in kJ/kg BW0.75 were similar between animal types (560 and 579; SEM=8.4) and greatest (P < 0.05) among diets for AL (563, 592, and 553 for alfalfa, AL, and lespedeza, respectively). Ruminal methane emission differed (P < 0.05) between animal types in MJ/d (1.17 and 1.44), kJ/g DMI (1.39 and 1.23), and kJ/g average daily gain (ADG; 18.1 and 9.8 for Alpine and Katahdin, respectively). Regardless of period, diet did not impact methane emission in MJ/d or relative to DMI, BW, or ADG. In conclusion, it is unclear why dietary inclusion of lespedeza did not reduce ruminal methane emission as in previous studies. Species differences in methane relative to DMI and ADG (i.e., lower for sheep than for goats) deserve further attention.

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An analysis of the variation in the lean tissue distribution of sheep

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s0003356100010199 ◽

1982 ◽

Vol 34 (3) ◽

pp. 257-264 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

B. T. Wolf

Keyword(s):

Tissue Distribution ◽

Genetic Correlation ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Maximum Difference ◽

Lean Tissue ◽

Heritability Estimates ◽

The Relationship ◽

Daily Gain ◽

Sire Breed

ABSTRACTThe distribution of lean tissue between eight standard joints was examined in 956 crossbred lambs slaughtered at constant live weights of either 35 or 40 kg. The sire breeds used were the Dorset Down, Ile-de-France, Oldenburg, Oxford, Suffolk and Texel. Sire breed did not have a significant effect on the proportion of total carcass lean found in the higher-priced joints but did show significant differences in the proportion of total carcass lean found in individual joints, with a maximum difference of 7·7 g total lean per kg joint being recorded. Similarly, small but significant effects due to ewe age (1 to 3 years), rearing type (single, twin, triplet), sex (male castrate, female) and weight of total lean were reported for the proportion of total carcass lean found in different joints.Heritability estimates ranged from 0·07 (s.e. 008) to 0·65 (s.e. 0·16) for the proportion of total lean in the best-end neck and higher-priced joints respectively. Phenotypic standard deviations of 5·8g/kg and 17·9g/kg were reported for the proportion of total lean found in the best-end neck and the higher-priced joints respectively. The genetic correlations between the proportion of total lean in each of the higher-priced joints and the proportion of total lean in the higher-priced joints combined were positive. A genetic correlation of 017 (s.e. 0·20) was found for the relationship between average daily gain from birth to slaughter and the proportion of total lean in the higher-priced joints.

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HERITABILITIES AND GENETIC CORRELATIONS FOR ULTRASONIC BACKFAT MEASUREMENTS, GROWTH AND CARCASS TRAITS IN SWINE

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas82-081 ◽

1982 ◽

Vol 62 (3) ◽

pp. 665-670 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

D. C. JEFFRIES ◽

R. G. PETERSON

Keyword(s):

Key Words ◽

Genetic Correlation ◽

Genetic Parameters ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Phenotypic Correlation ◽

Ultrasonic Measurements ◽

Yorkshire Pigs ◽

Daily Gain ◽

Season Interaction

Genetic parameters were estimated for 2403 purebred Yorkshire pigs over a 2-yr period, representing 21 sires. The traits studied included average daily gain, age adjusted to 90 kg, ultrasonic measurements of backfat at the mid-back and loin positions, total and adjusted total ultrasonic backfat and corresponding carcass backfat measurements. Least squares analyses were used to estimate and adjust for the effects of sex, year-season and sex by year-season interaction. Heritabilities and genetic correlations were calculated for all traits using both half- and full-sib estimates. Adjusted age and adjusted total ultrasonic backfat measurements were found to have the highest heritabilities of the live traits in this study. Estimates of heritability for adjusted age and adjusted total ultrasonic backfat were 0.24 ± 0.10 and 0.26 ± 0.10 based on half-sib and 0.56 ± 0.07 and 0.41 ± 0.06 from full-sib analyses. The genetic correlation between these two traits was −0.07 ± 0.28 based on the half-sib method. The total phenotypic correlation was −0.01 ± 0.02. Key words: Swine, ultrasonic backfat, heritabilities, genetic correlations

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Effects of the percentage of Texel or Rouge de ľOuest genes in lambs on carcass characteristics and meat quality

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s1357729800051110 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 69 (1) ◽

pp. 81-92 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

A. F. Carson ◽

B. W. Moss ◽

R. W. J. Steen ◽

D. J. Kilpatrick

Keyword(s):

Meat Quality ◽

Subcutaneous Fat ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Live Weight ◽

Fat Content ◽

Carcass Weight ◽

Ewe Lambs ◽

Bone Content ◽

Intermuscular Fat ◽

Ram Lambs

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).

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209 Genomic selection for multiple maternal and growth traits in large white pigs using Single-Step GBLUP

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz258.084 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 42-42

Author(s):

Breno Fragomeni ◽

Zulma Vitezica ◽

Justine Liu ◽

Yijian Huang ◽

Kent Gray ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Correlation ◽

Growth Traits ◽

Computing Time ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Single Step ◽

Genomic Information ◽

Genomic Evaluation ◽

Large White ◽

Daily Gain

Abstract The objective of this study was to implement a multi-trait genomic evaluation for maternal and growth traits in a swine population. Phenotypes for preweaning mortality, litter size, weaning weight, and average daily gain were available for 282K Large White pigs. The pedigree included 314k individuals, of which 35,731 were genotyped for 45K SNPs. Variance components were estimated in a multi-trait animal model without genomic information by AIREMLF90. Genomic breeding values were estimated using the genomic information by single-step GBLUP. The algorithm for proven and young (APY) was used to reduce computing time. Genetic correlation between proportion and the total number of preweaning deaths was 0.95. A strong, positive genetic correlation was also observed between weaning weight and average daily gain (r = 0.94). Conversely, the genetic correlations between mortality and growth traits were negative, with an average of -0.7. To avoid computations by expensive threshold models, preweaning mortality was transformed from a binary trait to two linear dam traits: proportion and a total number of piglets dead before weaning. Because of the high genetic correlations within groups of traits, inclusion of only one growth and one mortality trait in the model decreases computing time and allows for the inclusion of other traits. Reduction in computing time for the evaluation using APY was up to 20x, and no differences in EPD ranking were observed. The algorithm for proven and young improves the efficiency of genomic evaluation in swine without harming the quality of predictions. For this population, a binary trait of mortality can be replaced by a linear trait of the dam, resulting in a similar ranking for the selection candidates.

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Insulin-like growth factor-I measured in juvenile pigs is genetically correlated with economically important performance traits

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1071/ea05048 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 45 (8) ◽

pp. 783 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

K. L. Bunter ◽

S. Hermesch ◽

B. G. Luxford ◽

H-U. Graser ◽

R. E. Crump

Keyword(s):

Growth Factor ◽

Growth Traits ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Selection Criterion ◽

Insulin Like Growth Factor ◽

Factor I ◽

Igf I ◽

Performance Traits ◽

Growth Factor I ◽

Daily Gain

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is a naturally occurring polypeptide produced in the liver, muscle and fat tissues. It is known to be associated with growth and development during the postnatal growth period. Evidence for strong genetic correlations between juvenile IGF-I and performance traits would suggest this physiological measure would be useful as an early selection criterion. This paper reports estimates of genetic parameters from 9 trials where IGF-I was measured in juvenile pigs. All trials involved populations undergoing active selection for improved performance (e.g. efficient lean meat growth). Juvenile IGF-I was moderately heritable (average h2: 0.31) and influenced by common litter effects (average c2: 0.15). Genetic correlations (rg) between juvenile IGF-I and backfat (BF), feed intake (FI) or feed conversion ratio (FCR) traits were generally large and positive: rg averaged 0.57, 0.41 and 0.65, respectively. Phenotypic correlations (rp) between juvenile IGF-I and BF, FI or FCR were much lower (rp averaged 0.21, 0.09, and 0.15, respectively) as residual correlations between IGF-I and these performance traits were low, consistent with being measured at very different times. Correlations (genetic or phenotypic) between juvenile IGF-I and growth traits (e.g. lifetime daily gain or test daily gain) were relatively low, with average values within ± 0.09 of zero. Results from the trials reported here, and several physiological studies, indicate that information on juvenile IGF-I concentration can be used as an early physiological indicator of performance traits traditionally measured later in life. There is a clear role for juvenile IGF-I to facilitate pre-selection and more accurate selection of livestock for hard to measure traits, such as FCR, in pig breeding programs.

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Estimates of genetic parameters for pre-weaning and post-weaning growth traits of Chios lambs

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s0003356100024053 ◽

1980 ◽

Vol 30 (2) ◽

pp. 271-276 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

A. P. Mavrogenis ◽

A. Louca ◽

O. W. Robison

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Birth Weight ◽

Genetic Parameters ◽

Growth Traits ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Heritability Estimate ◽

Weaning Weight ◽

Phenotypic Correlations ◽

Selection For ◽

Daily Gain

ABSTRACTData on 792 Chios lambs born during the 1972/73 and 1973/74 lambing seasons were used to estimate genetic and phenotypic parameters for birth weight, weaning weight, age at weaning, pre-weaning daily gain, body weight at 5, 10, 15 and 20 weeks of age, and postweaning daily gain. Body weight at 15 weeks of age had the highest heritability estimate (0·73 ± 0·17) and that of post-weaning daily gain was also high (0·56 ± 0·15). Selection for either weight at 15 weeks or post-weaning daily gain would be expected to yield a greater response than selection for pre-weaning daily gain or weaning weight. Genetic correlations among weights and/or gains were positive (approximately 0·20). Phenotypic correlations among weights and gains were generally higher than genetic correlations. However, the correlation between pre— and post-weaning daily gain was small (0·08). Likewise, post-weaning daily gain had low correlations with all weights before 10 weeks. Age at weaning had moderate negative associations with all weights but a very low positive correlation with post-weaning daily gain.

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The influence of birth type and sex on rearing of Polish Heath and Żelaźnieńska lambs

Roczniki Naukowe Polskiego Towarzystwa Zootechnicznego ◽

10.5604/01.3001.0014.5648 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (4, Accepted for print) ◽

pp. 9-20

Author(s):

Aurelia Radzik-Rant ◽

Witold Rant ◽

Adrianna Bryjak ◽

Roman Niżnikowski

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Ewe Lambs ◽

Ram Lambs ◽

Birth Type

<b>The aim of the study was to determine the effect of birth type and sex on lambs survival parameters of polish heath and żelazneńska sheep. The research included data, which was used to determine the prolificacy index, the percentage of live-born lambs and the lambs rearing index up to 100 days of age. A higher prolificacy index (P≤0.01) and a higher percentage (P≤0.01) of reared lambs were determined in the polish heath compared to the żelazneńska sheep. In the herd of the first breed, a greater proportion of twin and more numerous litters than singleton births were noted. Single and twin litters were dominant in the żelazneńskie sheep. The rearing rate of lambs from single litters was at a similar level in both observed breeds. However, in the herd of polish heath sheep, lambs from multiple litters shoved also high rearing rate. Single ram lambs were characterized by higher (P≤0.01) body weight at birth and at 56 days of age compared to twin born and ewe lambs, both in polish heath sheep and żelazneńska sheep. Statistical differences (P≤0.01) in body weight at birth and on 56th day of age were also recorded between twins and triplets in polish heath sheep. The analysis of the distribution of lambs' mortality during the rearing period has shown that the most critical is the first week of life of the born offsprings.</b>

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