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Illustration of the maternal animal model used for genetic evaluation of beef cattle¹

D. H. Crews, Jr^*,,2 and Z. Wang

^* Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Research Centre, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4B1 Canada; and and Department of Agricultural, Food, and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1 Canada

² Corresponding author: dcrews{at}agr.gc.ca

National cattle evaluation programs for weaning weight in most beef breed associations involve implementation of the maternal animal model to predict direct and maternal EPD. With this model, direct breeding values are predicted for all animals with records or pedigree ties to animals with records, or both. Even though maternal genetic value is expressed only in animals that become dams, these effects are transmitted by all parents and inherited from parents by all animals, leading to maternal breeding values being predicted for all animals as well. A small example data set was simulated involving 12 parents, 8 nonparents, and 13 animals with weaning weight records. The pedigree was developed to include paternal and maternal half-sib families, full-sibs, and some inbreeding, similar to field populations of beef cattle. Assembly of the mixed model equations and solutions for the maternal animal model are illustrated explicitly to assist animal breeding students in their understanding of the properties of the maternal animal model and to explicitly implement the model. Model parameters and moments, fixed contemporary group solutions, adjustment of breeding values for merit of mates, interpretation of maternal permanent environmental effect solutions, and alternatives for the assembly of the equations are shown. This example should lead to increased student and producer understanding of genetic improvement programs for weaning weight in beef cattle.

Key Words: beef cattle • genetic prediction • maternal animal model • teaching