733
Genetic Parameters of Body Condition Score and and Reproductive Traits of Nellore Cows

Monday, August 18, 2014
Posters (The Westin Bayshore)
Sandra A Queiroz , Universidade Estadual Paulista, Jaboticabal, Brazil
Flavia M Paterno , Universidade Estadual Paulista, Jaboticabal, Brazil
Anna Flavia de A. Fernandes , Universidade Estadual Paulista, Jaboticabal, Brazil
Haroldo H. R. Neves , GenSys Associated Consultants, Porto Alegre, Brazil
João A Oliveira , Universidade Estadual Paulista, Jaboticabal, Brazil
Roberto Carvalheiro , Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”- UNESP, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Jaboticabal, Brazil
Abstract Text:

The objective was to estimate genetics parameters of body condition score (BCS), age at first calving (AFC) and calving interval (CI) of Brazilian Nellore cows. BCS was measured at weaning. The sources of variation included in the BCS model were contemporary group, reconception, calving order, AFC, CI, gestation length, hip height, long yearling weight and mature weight of cows, and the weaning weight and scores of conformation, early finishing and muscling assigned to calves at weaning. The genetic parameters were estimated by Bayesian inference, using an animal model. The heritability estimates for BCS, AFC and CI were 0.23, 0.45 and 0.01, respectively. The genetic correlation between BCS and CI, and BCS and AFC were -0.43 and -0.32, respectively. BCS may be used as an indirect measure to improve sexual precocity and reproductive assiduity of Nellore cows. 

Keywords:

age at first calving

calving interval

threshold

See more of: Posters: Beef Cattle Breeding (Group 2)
See more of: Species Breeding: Beef cattle
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