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Genetic variability for temperament indicators of Nellore cattle
A C Sant'Anna1, M J R Paranhos da Costa, F Baldi
1Programa de Pós-graduação em Genética e Melhoramento Animal, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista, 14.884-900 Jaboticabal, Brazil.
Journal of Animal Science
|May 10, 2013
Summary
This study estimated genetic parameters for Nellore cattle temperament traits. Flight speed (FS) offers the most efficient selection criterion for improving cattle temperament in breeding programs.
Area of Science:
- Animal Genetics
- Quantitative Genetics
- Livestock Breeding
Background:
- Temperament is crucial for animal welfare and management in cattle.
- Understanding genetic parameters of temperament traits is essential for effective breeding programs.
- Previous research has identified various indicators of cattle temperament.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate genetic parameters for four temperament indicator traits in Nellore cattle.
- To assess the suitability of these traits as selection criteria in cattle breeding programs.
- To determine which temperament trait offers the greatest potential for genetic gain.
Main Methods:
- Temperament was assessed in 23,420 Nellore cattle using scores for temperament score (TS), movement score (MOV), crush score (CS), and flight speed (FS).
- Bayesian inference with Gibbs sampling was used to estimate (co)variance components and breeding values.
- Multitrait analysis included weaning weight (WW) and accounted for fixed effects and age as covariates, using linear and threshold models.
Main Results:
- Heritability estimates for FS, TS, CS, and MOV were 0.35, 0.15, 0.19, and 0.18, respectively.
- High genetic correlations were observed between FS and TS (0.85), FS and CS (0.85), and FS and MOV (0.76).
- All assessed temperament traits showed sufficient genetic variability for selection, with FS yielding the fastest genetic gain.
Conclusions:
- All four temperament indicator traits possess adequate genetic variability for selection in Nellore cattle.
- Flight speed (FS) is recommended as the most effective trait for selection due to its heritability, strong genetic correlations with other traits, and practical data recording advantages.
- Implementing FS selection can lead to faster genetic improvement in cattle temperament and offers practical benefits for breeding programs.
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