Effect of selection at weaning on genetic parameters of weight gain for centralized and on farm test for beef bulls

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of pre-weaning selection on estimates of genetic parameters for post-weaning average daily gain in Phases C (ADG-C) and D (ADG-D) and to estimate genetic relationships between average daily gain in the two phases. Performance records of the South African Angus cattle breed was used in the analysis. (Co)variance components and genetic parameters for weaning (WWT), AGD-C and ADG-D were estimated by REML procedures fitting three different models (Models 1, 2 and 3) that differed in how they integrated sequential selection in the analysis of post-weaning traits. Model 1 was a univariate model of WWT, ADG-C and ADG-D. Model 2 was a two trait model of WWT and either ADG-C or ADG-D. Model 3 was a three trait model of WWT, ADG-C and ADG-D. Estimates of heritability for ADG-C were 0.39±0.08, 0.42±0.06 and 0.44±0.01 from Model 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Corresponding estimates of heritability for ADG-D were 0.18±0.021, 0.19±0.021 and 0.21±0.02 respectively. An estimate of genetic correlation between ADG-C and ADG-D was 0.58± and it suggested that the two traits may not necessarily be under the same genetic control. Rank correlations for all bulls based on ADG-C estimated breeding values (EBV’s) were 0.92, 0.83 and 0.94 for Model 1 vs. Model 2, Model 1 vs. Model 3 and Model 2 vs. Model 3 respectively. Corresponding ADG-D EBV’s rank correlations were 0.88, 0.84 and 0.93. Rank correlations for top and bottom 1%, 5% and 10% were lower than those for all bulls in both ADG-C and ADG-D. Low rank correlations showed that the difference in magnitude of genetic parameters from different models was enough to alter bull rankings based on EBV’s of ADG-C and ADG-D. Hence it was concluded that inclusion of pre-weaning information in genetic analysis for post-weaning average daily gain is necessary to account for selection at weaning.