Genetic Parameter Estimation of Growth and Developmental Traits in Angus Cattle During Weaning Stage
[Objective]The aim of this study was to measure the growth and development potential of beef cattle by accurately estimating the genetic parameters of body weight and body size traits during weaning stage,so as to provide a theoretical basis for the genetic improvement of Angus cattle.[Method]The genetic parameters of body weight and body size traits of 3 173 weaned Angus cattle from seven Angus beef farms in Ningxia were estimated by constrained maximum likelihood method(AI-REML)in combination with the EM algorithm,using the DMUAI module of DMU software.[Result]According to the criteria for high and low heritability estimates,the heritability of body weight(BW),body height(BH),hip cross height(HCH),body length(BL),chest girth(CG),abdomen circumference(AC)and cannon circumference(CC)in Angus cattle during weaning stage were classified as high heritability traits(h2≥0.40).The correlation results showed that the genetic correlations(0.31-0.79)and phenotypic correlations(0.30-0.81)among the traits were positive,except for the genetic correlations(-0.06-0.44)and phenotypic correlations(-0.07-0.35)between CC and the other traits,which were negative or weakly positive.[Conclusion]There was potential for improvement in growth traits of Angus cattle.It was recommended to consider the growth and development traits during weaning stage when formulating the breeding plan for Angus cattle.
Angus cattleweaning stagegenetic parametersgrowth and development
万方数据
维普
