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 Similar articles in PubMed 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 Cundiff, L. V. Articles by Koch, R. M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Cundiff, L. V. Articles by Koch, R. M.

Between- and Within-Breed Genetic Analysis of Calving Traits and Survival to Weaning in Beef Cattle¹

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Clay Center, NE 68933 and University of Nebraska, Lincoln 68583

Abstract

Data for gestation length, birth weight, calving difficulty (percent assisted) and survival from birth to weaning were analyzed from 4,639 calves by 290 sires of 14 Bos taurus breeds (Hereford, Angus, Jersey, South Devon, Limousin, Simmental, Charolais, Red Poll, Brown Swiss, Gelbvieh, Maine Anjou, Chianina, Pinzgauer and Tarentaise) mated to Hereford and Angus cows. The calves were produced over a 7-yr period in a germ plasm evaluation program. Variance components were estimated for breed of sire
, sire within breed of sire
and progeny within sire
random effects. Estimates of
and
direct genetic variance were similar for gestation length and calf survival. Estimates of
genetic variance were greater than for
for birth weight and calving difficulty. Estimates of total heritability
and within-breed heritability
indicated that gestation length
and birth weight
are under a high degree of direct genetic control, calving difficulty (
= .42,
= .21) is under a moderate degree of direct genetic control and calf survival (
= .11,
= .07) is under a low degree of direct genetic control. Estimates of genetic correlation for between (r_b) - and within-breed (r_g) sources of genetic variation were comparable in direction, but tended to be stronger between than within breeds. Selection among or within breeds for reduced calving difficulty (or birth weight) should be effective and improve calf survival and reduce birth weight (or calving difficulty) and gestation length, at least for a few generations.

¹ Published as Paper No. 7917 Journal Ser., Nebraska Agr. Exp. Sta., Lincoln and a contribution from Regional Project NC-1, "Improvement of Beef Cattle Through Breeding Methods."

² Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Anim, Res. Center, P.O. Box 166, Clay Center, NE 68933.

³ Dept. of Anim. Sci., Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln, Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Anim. Res. Center, P.O. Box 166, Clay Center, NE 68933.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. L. L. Guerra, D. E. Franke, and D. C. Blouin Genetic parameters for calving rate and calf survival from linear, threshold, and logistic models in a multibreed beef cattle population J Anim Sci, December 1, 2006; 84(12): 3197 - 3203. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Wu, F. W. Bazer, J. M. Wallace, and T. E. Spencer BOARD-INVITED REVIEW: Intrauterine growth retardation: Implications for the animal sciences J Anim Sci, September 1, 2006; 84(9): 2316 - 2337. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. H. Crews Jr. Age of dam and sex of calf adjustments and genetic parameters for gestation length in Charolais cattle J Anim Sci, January 1, 2006; 84(1): 25 - 31. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. M Frayling and A. T Hattersley The role of genetic susceptibility in the association of low birth weight with type 2 diabetes Br. Med. Bull., November 1, 2001; 60(1): 89 - 101. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]