Bayesian multivariate approach for growth, fertility and visual score traits of Brangus cattle herds

Authors

  • Ronyere Olegário de Araújo Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro
  • Cintia Righetti Marcondes Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste
  • Dionéia Magda Everling Universidade Federal de Santa Maria
  • Tomás Weber Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Centro de Ciências Rurais, Departamento de Zootecnia
  • Jader Silva Lopes Genética e Inovação Agropecuária
  • Analía del Valle Garnero Universidade Federal do Pampa, Campus São Gabriel
  • Ricardo José Gunski Universidade Federal do Pampa, Campus São Gabriel
  • Paulo Roberto Nogara Rorato Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Centro de Ciências Rurais, Departamento de Zootecnia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-3921.pab2012.v47.12049

Keywords:

Gibbs sampling, morphological traits, threshold model, early finishing.

Abstract

The objective of this work was to estimate genetic parameters, and genetic and phenotypic trends of a Brangus breed population. Weight, scrotal circumference, and visual scores of conformation, precocity, musculature, and navel, adjusted to 550 days of age, were evaluated from records of 6,789 animals sired by 288 bulls and 5,949 dams, born between 1991 and 2001 in 49 farms located in the Center‑West, Southeast, and South regions of Brazil. To estimate parameters, correlations, and genetic trends, a six‑trait, linear‑threshold animal model was adopted. Direct heritability estimates were 0.39 and 0.27 for weight and scrotal circumference, respectively, and 0.22, 0.20, 0.23, and 0.33 for conformation, precocity, musculature, and navel, indicating considerable additive genetic variation, and that it is possible to obtain genetic gain by selection. Genetic correlations between weight and scrotal circumference with the scores of conformation, precocity, and musculature show the possibility of correlated responses. Genetic trends indicate great contribution of non‑genetic sources of variation in the evaluated traits, which leads to the necessity of improving environmental conditions, in order for the animals to fully express their genetic potential.

Author Biographies

Ronyere Olegário de Araújo, Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro

Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Animais/FAV-UnB

Cintia Righetti Marcondes, Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste

Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste, São Carlos

Dionéia Magda Everling, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria

Departamento de Zootecnia/CCR

Tomás Weber, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Centro de Ciências Rurais, Departamento de Zootecnia

Departamento de Zootecnia/CCR

Jader Silva Lopes, Genética e Inovação Agropecuária

Genética e Inovação Agropecuária

Analía del Valle Garnero, Universidade Federal do Pampa, Campus São Gabriel

UNIPAMPA – Campus São Gabriel

Ricardo José Gunski, Universidade Federal do Pampa, Campus São Gabriel

UNIPAMPA – Campus São Gabriel

Paulo Roberto Nogara Rorato, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Centro de Ciências Rurais, Departamento de Zootecnia

Departamento de Zootecnia/CCR

Published

2012-09-25

How to Cite

de Araújo, R. O., Marcondes, C. R., Everling, D. M., Weber, T., Lopes, J. S., Garnero, A. del V., … Rorato, P. R. N. (2012). Bayesian multivariate approach for growth, fertility and visual score traits of Brangus cattle herds. Pesquisa Agropecuaria Brasileira, 47(8), 1077–1086. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-3921.pab2012.v47.12049

Issue

Section

GENETICS