Genetic correlations among indicator traits for carcass composition measured in yearling beef bulls and finished feedlot steers

2005 ◽  
Vol 85 (4) ◽  
pp. 463-473 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Bergen ◽  
S. P. Miller ◽  
J. W. Wilton

Genetic correlations were examined among 10 live growth and ultrasound traits measured in yearling beef bulls (n = 2172) and four carcass traits measured in crossbred finished feedlot steers (n = 1031). Heritabilities ranged from 0.13 (bull ultrasound longissimus muscle width) to 0.83 (yearling bull hip height). Genetic correlations indicated that selecting yearling bulls for increased growth rate and hip height would lead to higher carcass weight, increased longissimus muscle area and reduced levels of carcass marbling in steers. Bull ultrasound fat depth was positively associated with both carcass fat depth and marbling score. Most ultrasound longissimus muscle size measurements in bulls were positively associated with each other and with carcass longissimus muscle area in steers, but the magnitude of the genetic correlation with carcass measurements depended on the bull longissimus muscle size trait in question. This suggests that longissimus muscle shape in bulls may be related to carcass weight, fat and muscle traits in steers. Results confirm that while ultrasound is a valuable tool for the genetic improvement of carcass traits in beef cattle, genetic correlations between live bull ultrasound and steer carcass traits less then unity suggest that selection would benefit from multiple trait evaluations in situations where reliable carcass data are available. Key words: Ultrasound, beef carcass, heritability, genetic correlation

2005 ◽  
Vol 85 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Bergen ◽  
S. P. Miller ◽  
I. B. Mandell ◽  
W. M. Robertson

Pre-slaughter ultrasound and whole side dissection data from 47 crossbred bulls were used to assess (1) the relative value of six previously published equations based on live animal measurements, (2) the value of alternative pre-slaughter measurements, and (3) the value of alternative ultrasound probes as predictors of whole side lean meat yield. Analysis of absolute bias-corrected residuals indicated that all six previously published equations predicted whole side lean meat yield with similar accuracy (P = 0.62), but analysis of absolute rank residuals indicated that an equation originally based on carcass measurements tended (P = 0.17) to rank bulls less precisely than five ultrasound-based equations. Breed composition, age, liveweight, hip width, heart girth, and round muscle depths did not contribute to new lean meat yield prediction equations (P > 0.10), but height, 12th/13th rib body wall, rump fat, and gluteus medius muscle depths and marbling score did (P < 0.10). However, examination of absolute residuals and absolute rank residuals indicated that accuracy (P = 0.55) and precision (P = 0.64) did not improve significantly compared to equations based only on height, rib fat and longissimus muscle size. Similarly, analysis of absolute residuals and absolute rank residuals indicated that fat and longissimus muscle depth measurements collected with a short probe predicted whole side lean meat yield as accurately and precisely as measurements collected with a long probe. Results indicated that (1) equations based on live measurements may provide more precise predictions of lean meat yield than equations derived from carcass measurements, (2) supplementing ultrasonic rib fat and longissimus muscle measurements with additional ultrasound measurements did not improve the accuracy or precision of lean meat yield prediction, and (3) lean meat yield of yearling bulls can be accurately predicted using fat and longissimus muscle depth measurements collected with a short probe. Key words: Ultrasound, beef bulls, carcass composition, prediction models


2002 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. VARONA ◽  
C. OVILO ◽  
A. CLOP ◽  
J. L. NOGUERA ◽  
M. PÉREZ-ENCISO ◽  
...  

Results from a QTL experiment on growth and carcass traits in an experimental F2 cross between Iberian and Landrace pigs are reported. Phenotypic data for growth, length of carcass and muscle mass, fat deposition and carcass composition traits from 321 individuals corresponding to 58 families were recorded. Animals were genotyped for 92 markers covering the 18 porcine autosomes (SSC). The results from the genomic scan show genomewide significant QTL in SSC2 (longissimus muscle area and backfat thickness), SSC4 (length of carcass, backfat thickness, loin, shoulder and belly bacon weights) and SSC6 (longissimus muscle area, backfat thickness, loin, shoulder and belly bacon weights). Suggestive QTL were also found on SSC1, SSC5, SSC7, SSC8, SSC9, SSC13, SCC14, SSC16 and SSC17. A bidimensional genomic scan every 10 cM was performed to detect interaction between QTL. The joint action of two suggestive QTL in SSC2 and SSC17 led to a genome-wide significant effect in live weight. The results of the bidimensional genomic scan showed that the genetic architecture was mainly additive or the experimental set-up did not have enough power to detect epistatic interactions.


1992 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. 493-499 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Johnston ◽  
L. L. Benyshek ◽  
J. K. Bertrand ◽  
M. H. Johnson ◽  
G. M. Weiss

Growth and carcass records were obtained on 1444 progeny, representing 53 Charolais sires from 7 yr of the Canadian Charolais Association Conception to Consumer Program. After weaning, all calves entered a commercial feedlot, where they remained on feed until they were visually appraised to grade A1 or A2, at which time they were slaughtered. The average age, backfat and carcass weight at slaughter were 417 d, 8.9 mm and 306 kg, respectively. Carcass weight, longissimus muscle area, marbling and number of days from on test to slaughter were adjusted to a fat constant end point of 8.9 mm of backfat. Genetic, phenotypic and environmental relationships were computed from variances and covariances estimated using a multiple-trait sire model with restricted maximum likelihood procedures between all pairwise combinations of growth and carcass traits. The following heritabilities were determined: birth weight, 0.25; 200-d adjusted weaning weight, 0.09; 365-d adjusted yearling weight, 0.16; feedlot test average daily gain, 0.19; relative growth rate, 0.18; number of days from on test to slaughter, 0.24; carcass weight, 0.09; longissimus muscle area, 0.38; and marbling score, 0.26. Carcass weight had a positive genetic correlation with longissimus muscle area (0.45) and number of days from on test to slaughter (0.29) but correlated negatively with marbling score (−0.31). Longissimus muscle area was negatively correlated with marbling score (−0.24). Key words: Beef cattle, growth and carcass traits, genetic parameters


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1425
Author(s):  
Masoumeh Naserkheil ◽  
Deuk-Hwan Lee ◽  
Hong-Sik Kong ◽  
Jiyeon Seong ◽  
Hossein Mehrban

Genetic parameters have a significant role in designing a breeding program and are required to evaluate economically important traits. The objective of this study was to estimate heritability and genetic correlation between yearling ultrasound measurements, such as backfat thickness (UBFT), eye muscle area (UEMA), intramuscular fat content (UIMF), and carcass traits, such as backfat thickness (BFT), carcass weight (CW), eye muscle area (EMA), marbling score (MS) at approximately 24 months of age, as well as yearling weight (YW) in Hanwoo bulls (15,796) and steers (5682). The (co) variance components were estimated using a multi-trait animal model. Moderate to high heritability estimates were obtained and were 0.42, 0.50, 0.56, and 0.59 for CW, EMA, BFT, and MS, respectively. Heritability estimates for yearling measurements of YW, UEMA, UBFT, and UIMF were 0.31, 0.32, 0.30, and 0.19, respectively. Favorable and strong genetic correlations were observed between UIMF and MS (0.78), UBFT and BFT (0.63), and UEMA and EMA (0.65). Moreover, the estimated genetic correlation between YW and CW was high (0.84) and relatively moderate between YW and EMA (0.43). These results suggest that genetic improvement can be achieved for carcass traits when using yearling ultrasound measurements as selection criteria in ongoing Hanwoo breeding programs.


1998 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 147 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Baud ◽  
C. M. Wade ◽  
M. E. Goddard

The value of live-animal ultrasound scanning was assessed for steers grain-fed according to Japanese market specifications. Ultrasound scanning of the live animal for rump fat depth at the P8 site and for longissimus muscle area at feedlot entry did not accurately predict the ranking of individual steers on subcutaneous fat depth andlongissimus muscle area measured on the carcass at slaughter. When scanning was performed at the time of feedlot exit, up to 9 months later, the prediction of post-slaughter subcutaneous fat depth using scanned measurements made at the P8 site was of higher precision. Ultrasonic scanning to determine longissimus muscle area on feedlot exit was no better as a predictor of carcass longissimus muscle area than was that scanned at feedlot entry. The low correlations were probably due to differences in the sites of the scan (12th/13th rib interface) and longissimus muscle-area measurement (10th/11th rib interface) and to measurement errors in both the ultrasonic scan and the direct carcass measurements. Ultrasonic scan measurements may have been afiected by interference from deep fat cover on the steers. Genetic correlations were high but imprecisely estimated. Correlations between live-animal scanned measurements and the corresponding carcass measurements were high for steers from the same vendor property. Heritability estimates for the scanned measurements were in agreement with those from other studies.


1987 ◽  
Vol 109 (3) ◽  
pp. 531-538 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. I. A. El Karim ◽  
J. B. Owen

SummaryTwenty-five male Shugor, 25 female Shugor, 25 male Watish and 25 female Watish lambs, individually fed for 57 days, were used to study post-weaning growth performance and carcass composition of these breed types when subjected to a period of intensive feeding.Means and standard error of means of daily gain on experiment were 191·0±5·81, 166·0±5·81, 150·0±5·81 and 134·0±5·81 g for Shugor males, Watish males, Shugor females and Watish females, respectively. The means and S.E. for feed conversion ratio (FCR) were 5·79±0·190, 7·30±0·190, 7·47±0·190 and 8·00±0·190 in the same order. Shugor and male lambs had better gain (P < 0·001) and FCR (P < 0·01)than Watish and female lambs respectively.Shugor had heavier slaughter weight and cold carcass weight than Watish (P < 0·01). Males were superior to females in slaughter weight, carcass weight and dressing percentage (P < 0·01). No difference was detected in lean, fat or bone percentage between breed type or sex (P < 0·05). Males had larger muscle area (P < 0·001) than females. On the other hand, females had more percentage kidney knob and channel fat (P < 0·001) and thicker fat depth (P <0·01) than males. Shugor were superior (P < 0·01) in fat depth to Watish.Percentage non-carcass components showed that females had more percentage omental and mesenteric fat (P < 0·001) and percentage full stomach (P < 0·01). Breed type and sex showed significant effect (P < 0·001) on percentage liver.In linear measurements, Shugor had greater carcass length and femur length (P < 0·01). Males had bigger circumference of buttocks and chest depth (P < 0·001).For carcass joints as a percentage of side weight, the only clear effect of breed type was on percentage loin (P < 0·05). Males had bigger percentage middle neck (P < 0·001) and shoulder and percentage scrag (P < 0·01) than females, whereas females had higher percentage loin and chump.Heritability estimates of some carcass traits, admittedly based on limited numbers, ranged from 0·32 (S.E. 0·183) for leg to 0·18 (S.E. 0·180) for loin weights. Linear carcass measurements showed low heritability of around 0·10 (S.E. 0·160).


2019 ◽  
Vol 99 (2) ◽  
pp. 296-306
Author(s):  
Daniel Duarte da Silveira ◽  
Lucas De Vargas ◽  
Rodrigo Junqueira Pereira ◽  
Gabriel Soares Campos ◽  
Ricardo Zambarda Vaz ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic variability, genetic and phenotypic associations, and genetic gains of birth (BW), weaning (WW), and yearling (YW) weights, loin muscle area (LMA), backfat thickness (BF), rump fat thickness (RF), scores of body structure (BS), finishing precocity (FS), and muscling (MS) in Nelore cattle. Genetic parameters were obtained through Bayesian inference using BLUPF90 programs. All studied traits showed genetic variability, with heritability ranging from 0.29 to 0.47. In all studied ages, weights presented positive genetic correlations with LMA (ranging from 0.13 to 0.53), being generally stronger in comparison with the other carcass traits analyzed (BF and RF). Similarly, weights were higher genetic associated with BS (0.47–0.92) than with FS (0.18–0.62) and MS (0.22–0.65), respectively. The BF and RF showed positive and moderate genetic associations with FS and MS (0.31–0.36). Genetic trends were significant (P < 0.05) and favorable for WW, YW, and visual scores. Selection for increasing BW, WW, YW, and LMA will result in modest or no change in BF and RF (correlated response ranging from −0.04 to 0.07 mm per generation). In this population, carcass traits must be included in the selection indexes to obtain genetic gains in carcass quality, if desired.


2009 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 413 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. C. Prayaga ◽  
N. J. Corbet ◽  
D. J. Johnston ◽  
M. L. Wolcott ◽  
G. Fordyce ◽  
...  

Genetic analyses of tropical adaptive traits were conducted for two tropically adapted genotypes, Brahman (BRAH) and Tropical Composite (TCOMP). Traits included tick scores (TICK), faecal egg counts (EPG), buffalo fly-lesion scores (FLY), rectal temperatures under hot conditions (TEMP), coat scores (COAT), coat colour on a light to dark scale (COLOUR), navel scores (NAVEL) and temperament measured as flight time (FT). The data comprised adaptive measures recorded at specific times on 2071 heifers comprising 966 BRAH and 1105 TCOMP. The genetic correlations of these adaptive traits with heifer growth, scanned carcass, pubertal measures and steer growth and carcass traits were estimated. BRAH recorded significantly (P < 0.05) lower TICK, EPG, FLY and TEMP than did TCOMP. BRAH also had significantly sleeker coats, lighter coat colour, more pendulous navels and more docile temperament than did TCOMP. The heritability of TICK and FLY was low (<20%), that of EPG, TEMP, NAVEL and FT was moderate (20–50%) and that of COAT and COLOUR high (>50%). In general, phenotypic correlations between these adaptive traits were low and genetic correlations were non-significant, implying trait independence. Genetic correlations between EPG and weight traits (0.29 to 0.44) indicated a positive relationship, implying no deleterious effect of worms on the growth at a genetic level, especially in TCOMP. The negative genetic correlations between COAT and body-condition score across genotypes (–0.33 to –0.48) indicated genetic advantage of sleek coats in tropics. A positive genetic correlation between COAT and the age at the first-observed corpus luteum (0.73) in BRAH indicated that BRAH with sleeker coats were genetically early maturing. Further, sleeker coats were genetically indicative of lower weights and lower fat cover at puberty in BRAH. The scanned fat measures at rump and rib sites for feedlot steers showed strong genetic correlation (0.50–0.58) with heifer TEMP, indicating genetically fatter animals had genetically lower heat tolerance. In BRAH, a positive genetic association between heifer COLOUR and scanned fat measures in steers (0.50–0.54) implied increased fatness in genetically darker animals. Further, in BRAH, a strong negative genetic correlation (–0.97) was observed between steer retail beef yield and heifer TEMP, indicating a favourable genetic association. In general, genetic correlations between adaptive traits and other economic traits were genotype specific. Further, it can be concluded that selection for productive and pubertal traits in tropical beef cattle genotypes would not adversely affect their tropical adaptability.


2016 ◽  
Vol 94 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. 4-4
Author(s):  
J. S. Delgadillo ◽  
D. G. Riley ◽  
C. A. Gill ◽  
J. O. Sanders ◽  
J. E. Sawyer ◽  
...  

2013 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 308 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Estrada-Angulo ◽  
Y. S. Valdés ◽  
O. Carrillo-Muro ◽  
B. I. Castro-Perez ◽  
A. Barreras ◽  
...  

Forty Pelibuey × Kathdin lambs (35.5 ± 0.4 kg) were used in a 56-day feeding experiment to assess the effects of feeding different levels of chromium-enriched live yeast (Cr-YC) on growth performance, dietary energetics, carcass traits and visceral organ mass. The Cr-YC source contained 5.5 × 109 colony forming units (CFU) and 0.40 mg of Cr per gram. Treatments consisted of a dry rolled corn-based finishing diet supplemented with 0, 1, 2 or 3 g Cr-YC/lamb.day. Total daily dosages were: 5.5 × 109 CFU and 0.4 mg; 1.1 × 1010 CFU and 0.8 mg Cr, and 1.65 × 1010 CFU and 1.2 mg Cr for supplementation levels of 1, 2 or 3 g Cr-YC/lamb.day, respectively. There were no treatments effects on dry matter intake. As the level of Cr-YC supplementation increased, average daily gain, gain to feed and dietary net energy were linearly increased, and observed/expected dry matter intake was linearly decreased. Chromium-enriched live yeast supplementation increased empty bodyweight (EBW), gastrointestinal fill and full viscera weight, but did not influence organ weights as a proportion of EBW (g/kg EBW). Cr-YC level did not affect carcass length, backfat thickness, kidney, pelvic and heart fat or body wall thickness, but increased hot carcass weight and longissimus muscle area. In general, treatment effects on percentage yield of wholesale cuts (tissue weight as a percentage of cold carcass weight) were small. However, Cr-YC decreased percentage flank. Chromium-enriched yeast supplementation enhances growth rate, longissimus muscle area, and dietary energetic efficiency in finishing feedlot lambs.


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