Within-herd genetic analyses of stayability of beef females

Nonlinear mixed-model procedures for analysis of binary data were used to estimate heritability (h2), predict individual genetic merit, and determine genetic and environmental trends for four measures of stayability of beef females. Traits considered were probabilities of a female having 2 [S(2/1)], 5 [S(5/1)], 8 [S(8/1)] and 11 [S(11/1)] calves, given that she calved once. Colorado State University Beef Improvement Center (BIC) and Beckton Stock Farm (BSF) provided data for the analyses. Heritability was estimated using animal model marginal maximum likelihood (AM MML), sire model marginal maximum likelihood (SM MML), and animal model Method R (AM MR). Individual genetic merit was predicted using single-trait animal models with each h2 estimate. Birth year was treated as fixed in all analyses. Only AM MML yielded h2 estimates for all traits in both herds. The AM MML h2 estimates for S(2/1), S(5/1), S(8/1), and S(11/1) were .09, .11, .07, and .20, respectively, for BSF data and .02, .14, .09, and .07, respectively, for BIC data. Differing h2 estimates did not substantially influence rank of individual predictions. Genetic trends in stayability were positive in both herds, although birth year solutions indicated variable or negative environmental trends. Genetic improvement of stayability may be accelerated by incorporating predictions of genetic merit for stayability in selection criteria. S(5/1) may be the most useful trait for consideration in national cattle evaluations.