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Development of selection indexes for a beef cattle production system from available EPDs

Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Posters (The Westin Bayshore)
Maria Isabel Pravia , Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria, Montevideo, Uruguay
Olga Ravagnolo , Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria, Canelones, Uruguay
Jorge Urioste , Facultad de Agronomía. Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
Abstract Text:

Due to the complexity of selection in beef cattle where numerous traits are involved, identification of breeding objectives and developing a selection index to improve a global goal is required. A selection index was developed to maximize genetic gain for a beef cattle operation system. Breeding objective includes calving rate, carcass weight, calving ease, feed intake, direct and maternal weaning weight. Indexes were constructed from traits which EPDs are available so it can be implement to make comparisons between animals with different genetic merit. Genetic responses obtained from the use of a propose index were compared with simpler indexes. Selection through the proposed index achieved higher genetic progress in the breeding objective and resulted in an increased economic return to the system. The lack of national genetic parameters for some of the most important traits is a limitation and some implications were discussed.

 Keywords:

Beef cattle

Breeding objectives

Selection index