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Genetic Differences in Beef Terminal Traits and Index is Reflected in Phenotypic Performance Difference in Commercial Beef Herds
The objective of the present study is to quantify the relationship between genetic merit for terminal beef traits and phenotypic performance in commercial beef herds. Carcass data were available on 115,456 animals from 14,841 contemporary groups in 5,961 herds. Animals were categorized into four groups based on genetic merit. Associations with actual phenotypic performance were estimated using a fixed effects model. Relative to the lowest genetic merit group for the terminal index, the elite genetic group were slaughtered 54 days earlier, weighed 55kg more and had a 3.8 unit better conformation score (scale 1-15); there was no obvious association between terminal index and carcass fat. These improvements in carcass characteristics manifested themselves as a differential of €289 in carcass value between the best and worse terminal index category. Therefore considerable gains in phenotypic performance, and thus revenue, can be achieved through genetic selection.
Keywords:
genetics
carcass
estimated breeding value
