Genetic analysis of feet and legs in Nellore cattle

Abstract Text: The aim was to estimate variance components of feet and legs in Nellore cattle. Feet and legs is a combined score aimed to evaluate the overall structure for both feet and legs at two different moments, leading to the definition of two different traits: A1) a binary trait measured at yearling; A2) feet and legs scores ranging from 1 to 5. Variance components for A1 and A2 were estimated by single-trait threshold animal models under a Bayesian framework. Posterior means (highest posterior density interval at 95%) of heritability estimates were equal to 0.18 (0.12 to 0.25) and 0.44 (0.28 to 0.58), for A1 and A2, respectively. Incidence of feet and legs problems in this population could be reduced through selection. Future studies should include multi-trait animal models in order to investigate alternatives to increase accuracy of genetic evaluation for this trait.

Keywords:

Bayesian analysis

Variance

Heritability