Phenotypic and Genetic Association Between Meat and Carcass Traits with Growth Traits in Nellore Cattle

Abstract Text: The aim was estimate genetic parameters for growth, carcass and meat traits in Nelore cattle. Records of weaning weight, yearling weight, weight gain from weaning to yearling, hot carcass weight, loin muscle area, backfat thickness and marbling score  were used. A sample of one inch (2.54 cm) of Longissimus dorsi muscle was collected between the 12 and 13th ribs from the left carcass side. The contemporary groups (CG) were defined according to each trait. The (co)variance components and genetic parameters were estimated with an animal model by restricted maximum likelihood method using the computer program Wombat. The heritability estimates for the traits studied ranged from 0.08 ± 0.08 to 0.28 ± 0.10. Estimates of genetic correlations ranged from -0.17 ± 0.33 to 0.82 ± 0.14. The growth, carcass and meat traits have enough variability genetic for response to selection. 

Keywords: genetic correlation, heritability, loin muscle area, marbling score