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University of Nebraska, Lincoln 68583 and and US Department of Agriculture, Clay Center, NE 68933
Abstract
Selection has been applied in three 150-cow, 6-sire lines of Hereford cattle since 1960 when the lines were formed from a common base. Data through 1977 (1976 for postweaning traits) were available for analysis. The three lines were selected for weaning weight (WWL), yearling weight (YWL) and an index of yearling weight and muscling score (IXL). Traits analyzed were: birth weight (BW), preweaning daily gain (WDG), weaning weight (WW), postweaning daily gain (PDG), yearling weight (YW) and muscling score (MS). Genetic parameters were estimated using paternal half-sib analyses of variance and covariance and offspring-parent regressions. The estimates were generally similar to averages of estimates found in the literature. Response to selection was predicted from indexes in retrospect and both types of genetic parameter estimates. Predicted responses (averaged over the two methods) in standard deviation units/generation in WWL, YWL and IXL, respectively, were: BW, .26, .27, .29; WDG, .23, .21, .21; WW, .24, .24, .21; PDG, .21, .40, .33; YW, .29, .39, .34; MS, .00, .03, .22.
1 Published as Paper No. 6674 Journal Series, Nebraska Agr. Exp. Sta., Lincoln and a contribution from Regional Project NC—1, Improvement of Beef Cattle Through Breeding Methods.
2 Authors express appreciation to L. G. Beerwinkle, G. Hays, J. Loseke, J. Stark, R. Sampson and N. Scott for data collection and to Bradford Knapp and W. Hinerman for data processing.
3 Present address, Anim. Sci. Dept., Oklahoma State Univ., Stillwater 74074.
4 Anim. Sci. Dept., Univ. of Nebraska.
5 Anim. Sci. Dept., Univ. of Nebraska, Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center.
6 Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, AR-SEA, USDA, Clay Center.
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