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ARS Home » Plains Area » Clay Center, Nebraska » U.S. Meat Animal Research Center » Genetics and Animal Breeding » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #375276
Research Project: Developing a Systems Biology Approach to Enhance Efficiency and Sustainability of Beef and Lamb Production

Location: Genetics and Animal Breeding

Title: Genetic parameter estimates for age at slaughter and days to finish in a multibreed population

Author
item UPPERMAN, LINDSAY - University Of Nebraska
item Kuehn, Larry
item SPANGLER, MATTHEW - University Of Nebraska

Submitted to: Nebraska Beef Reports
Publication Type: Research Notes
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2020
Publication Date: 1/15/2021
Citation: Upperman, L.R., Kuehn, L.A., Spangler, M.L. 2021. Genetic parameter estimates for age at slaughter and days to finish in a multibreed population. Nebraska Beef Reports. p. 16-17. Available: https://beef.unl.edu/documents/2021-beef-report/mp110-2021-05.pdf.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for days to finish (DtF), age at slaughter (AAS), age at weaning (AAW) and their relationships with carcass traits. Heritability estimates using univariate models for AAS and DtF when adjusted to different endpoints ranged from 0.52-0.59 and 0.33-0.39, respectively. The genetic correlations between AAW and DtF ranged from -0.26 to -0.43. Results indicate AAS and DtF are moderately heritable. Although heritability estimates suggest that both AAS and DtF would respond favorably to selection, there are caveats that warrant caution. Days to Finish, even when adjusted to various endpoints, displays minimal phenotypic variation. Age at Slaughter, although more variable than DtF, is comprised of multiple identifiable sub-traits some of which are antagonistically related.