HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Swiger, L. A. Articles by Arthaud, V. H. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Swiger, L. A. Articles by Arthaud, V. H.

Effect of Length of the Feeding Period on Accuracy of Selection for Gain and Feed Consumption in Beef Cattle

United States Department of Agriculture and University of Nebraska^{1, 2, 3,}

Abstract

Weaning weight and gain in three successive 56-day periods were combined in indexes predicting the genic effects for 368-day weight and for 168-day feed lot gain. Feed consumption in the three 56-day periods was used to predict the genic effects for 168-day post-weaning consumption.

The indexes predicting the genic effects for 168-day gain and feed consumption computed from the Lincoln data indicated that accuracy would be increased for both traits by including information from the entire 168-day test. Results of the Fort Robinson analysis also indicate that the additional information about the genic values for final weight and feed lot gain which resulted from adding subsequent 56-day periods to the index was sufficient to justify feeding at least 168-days. In the analyses of feed consumption in three 56-day periods at Fort Robinson, the first period was 90% as accurate in predicting the genic effects for feed consumption as was an index combining all three periods in the most efficient way.

¹ Published with approval of the Director as Paper No. 1121, 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.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				G. D. Snowder and L. D. Van Vleck Effect of duration of performance test on variance component estimates for lamb growth rate J Anim Sci, August 1, 2002; 80(8): 2078 - 2084. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]