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Effect of Inbreeding on Performance Traits of Beef Cattle^{1, 2,}

United States Department of Agriculture and and University of Nebraska, Lincoln

Abstract

Conclusions: The inbreeding effects computed from the Lincoln and Fort Robinson data were not in agreement. In general, calves with higher than average inbreeding coefficients were below average in performance for the traits studied. However, the magnitude of the effects was quite different at the two stations for each trait. The standard errors indicate that sampling variance could account for the discrepancies between stations in some cases but were not likely to in others.

The effect of inbreeding of the dam was negative for all traits at Lincoln but positive for most traits at Fort Robinson. These results from the Fort Robinson data could not be explained by any variables evaluated in this study and were attributed to chance.

The effects of initial age on the post-weaning traits were computed simultaneously with the inbreeding regressions. Initial age had little effect on subsequent feed lot gain, however, older calves consumed more feed than the younger calves. This effect of initial age on feed consumption decreased as the feeding period progressed.

¹ Published with approval of the Director as Paper No. 1107, Journal Series, Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station.

² Contribution from the North Central Regional Project NC-1, Improvement of Beef Cattle through Breeding Methods.

³ The authors express their appreciation to R. L. Davis and E. W. Schleicher for assistance in collecting the data.