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Beef Cattle Selection Indexes Involving Conformation and Weight¹

South Dakota State College, Brookings

Abstract

Phenotypic and genetic parameters for weaning weight, initial conformation, final conformation, post-weaning daily gain, and adjusted final weight were obtained from data collected on 473 animals from 56 different sires. The heritability estimates were within the range of estimates derived from previous studies. A negative genetic correlation of — .39 was obtained between weaning weight and final conformation. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between weaning weight and daily gain and between final conformation and daily gain were small and positive.

Estimates of the relative net economic value for each trait and the genetic and phenotypic parameters were used in calculation of selection indexes involving weaning weight, initial conformation, final conformation, and daily gain. Final conformation was the least important trait and daily gain the most important in determining the theoretical genetic progress from selection. Results also indicate that daily gain must be included in the index if an appreciable amount of genetic improvement in daily gain is to be realized.

¹ Department of Animal Science, published with the approval of the Director of the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station as Publication 604 of the Journal Series. Cooperative with A.R.S., U.S.D.A., Regional Project NC-1, Improvement of Beef Cattle Through Breeding, and partially supported in 1959 and 1960 under contract #12-14-100-2631-44 with A.R.S., U.S.D.A.

² This paper represents a part of a thesis submitted by the senior author to South Dakota State College as partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science.

³ Appreciation is extended to the Department of Animal Science staff members who assisted in scoring the animals and to Elizabeth Christianson for assistance in recording data.