Full text in pdf format

Genetic aspects of growth in gobra zebu cattle

K.P. Abassa^I; C.J. Wilcox^II; T.A. Olson^III

^IEISMV, Dakar, Senegal
^IIDairy Science Department, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA. Send correspondence to C.J.W.
^IIIAnimal Science Department, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA

ABSTRACT

Estimates of heritabilities and phenotypic and genetic correlations between birth weight, weaning weight, weight at 12 and 18 months, and growth rate were obtained. Data from 1401 pure Gobra Zebu animals by 39 sires were evaluated at the Dahra Research Station, Senegal, West Africa, during the years 1968 through 1980. Heritabilities of all traits were moderate, 0.14 to 0.34. Phenotypic correlations were positive, the highest being 0.76 for 12 and 18 month weight; correlations with growth rate were low, 0.05 to 0.09. Genetic correlations between weights were positive, the highest being 0.94 (12 and 18 month weights); estimates for growth rate and weights, with standard errors of 0.51 to 0.57, were variable, 0.45 to -0.76. Estimates overall agreed closely with the preponderance of research on Bos taurus cattle in temperate beef cattle areas.

Keywords: Growth; Gobra; Zebu; Cattle.

REFERENCES

Beltran, J.J. (1976). Genetic and phenotypic aspects of early growth in Brahman cattle. Masters Thesis, Univesity of Florida, Gainesville.

Brown, J.E., Brown, C.J. and Butts, W.T. (1972). A discussion of the genetic aspects of weight, mature weight, and rate of maturing in Hereford and Angus cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 34: 525-537.

Cartwright, T.C. and Fitzhugh, H.A. Jr. (1972). Selecting and breeding the unique Brahman. The Brahman J. 2: 6.

Fitzhugh, H.A. Jr., and Taylor, St. C.S. (1971). Genetic analysis of degree of maturity. J. Anim. Sci. 33 : 717-725.

Harvey, W.R. (1977). Users Guide for LSML 76. Mimeo. Ohio State Univ., Columbus.

Joandet, G.E. (1967). Growth patterns and efficiency of TDN utilization in beef cattle. Doctoral Thesis. Texas A. & M Univ., College Station.

Koger, M., Kidder, R.W., Clum. H.V. and Liddon, J.M. (1957). The relationship of birth weights to growth at various stages of development in cattle of various breeding at the Florida Everglades Experiment Station. J. Anim. Sci. 16: 1018.

Mariante, A. da S. (1978). Growth and reproduction in Nellore cattle in Brazil: genetic parameters and effects of environmental factors. Doctoral Thesis. Univ. of Florida, Gainesville.

Nodot, P.R. (1980). Reproductive and productive performance on an Indubrazil herd in the eastern coast of the Gulf of Mexico. Doctoral Thesis. Univ. of Florida, Gainesville.

Oliveira, J.A. de, Duarte, F.A.M., Lôbo, R.B. and Bezerra, L.A.F. (1982a). Genetic and phenotypic parameters of birth weight and weaning weight in Canchin cattle. Rev. Bras. Genet. V: 131145.

Oliveira, J.A. de, Duarte, F.A.M., Lôbo, R.B. and Bezerra, L.A.F. (1982b). Genetic analysis of performance traits in Canchin cattle. I. Body weight. Rev. Bras. Genet. V: 687-698.

Oliveira, J.A. de, Duarte, F.A.M., Lôbo, R.B. and Bezerra, L.A.F. (1983). Genetic analysis of performance traits in Canchin cattle. II. Weight gain. Rev. Bras. Genet. VI: 81-92.

Pacho, B.U. (1981). Genetic and environmental sources of variation in Angus and Brahman cattle. Doctoral Thesis. Univ. of Florida, Gainesville.

Payne, W.J.A. (1970). Cattle production in the tropics. Vol. 1. Breeds and Breeding. Longman Group Ltd., London.

Plasse, D., Koger, M. and Verde, O.G. (1968). Estimacion de parametros geneticos para crecimiento prenatal y postnatal en Santa Gertrudes. ALFA Mem. 3: 103.

Woldehawariat, G., Talamantes, M.A., Petty, R.R. Jr. and Cartwright, T.C. (1979). Summary of genetic and environmental statistics for growth and conformation characters of beef cattle. Anim. Sci. Dept. Tech. Rep. No. 103. Texas A &M Univ., College Station.

Wong, Y.K. (1974). Genetic aspects of growth curves of Angus, Brahman, Hereford, and Santa Gertrudes females. Masters Thesis, Univ. of Florida, Gainesville.