J. Anim Sci.
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

J. Anim Sci. 1980. 50:226-234.
© 1980 American Society of Animal Science
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Alenda, R.
Right arrow Articles by Ellersieck, M. R.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by Alenda, R.
Right arrow Articles by Ellersieck, M. R.

Estimation of Genetic and Maternal Effects in Crossbred Cattle of Angus, Charolais and Hereford Parentage. I. Birth and Weaning Weights1,2,3,

R. Alenda4,6,, T. G. Martin4, J. F. Lasley5 and M. R. Ellersieck5,7,

Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907 and University of Missouri, Columbia 65211

Abstract

Linear functions of breed means were used to estimate genetic and maternal effects of Angus (A), Charolais (C) and Hereford (H) cattle. Methods, based on available breed means, were developed to estimate additive effects of each breed, individual and maternal heterosis effects for each two-breed combination, and maternal and grand maternal effects for each breed. Data from 1,223 animals were used to estimate the above genetic and maternal effects on birth and weaning weight. Additive effects of C were 8 to 12 kg (P<.01) and 17 to 21 kg (P<.01) larger than additive effects of H and A for birth and weaning weights, respectively. The sum of individual and maternal heterosis effects on 205-day weight ranged from 11 kg for CH to 20 kg for AC crosses. Average maternal heterosis effects were slightly larger than average individual heterosis values when the best estimate of individual heterosis was used. Total maternal (maternal plus grand maternal) effects of C were 12 kg greater (P<.05) than those of H in 205-day weight. Angus maternal effects were intermediate between C and H maternal effects. Positive maternal effects and negative grand maternal effects or the opposite were observed for each breed, which lends support to the theory that rearing environment of the mother influences her own maternal ability. Estimates of genetic effects were utilized to estimate means for all two-breed and three-breed rotational crossbreeding systems through eight generations. Mean of a breed combination (estimated from genetic and maternal effects estimates) agreed closely with the least squares estimate for the same combination.

Footnotes

1 Journal Paper no. 7438, Purdue Univ. Agr. Exp. Sta.

2 Journal Paper No. 8183, Univ. of Missouri Agr. Exp. Sta.

3 Data Derived from contributing project to NC-1 regional project entitled Improvement of Beef Cattle Through Breeding Methods.

4 Dept. of Animal Sciences, Purdue Univ.

5 Dept. of Animal Science, Univ. of Missouri.

6 Supported by a fellowship sponsored by the Instituto Nacional Investigaciones Agrarias of Spain and The World Bank.

7 The authors would like to express their appreciation to Journal of Animal Science Reviewer, Gordon model and data presentation.






HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 1980 by the American Society of Animal Science.