Conference paper
PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF VISUAL TRAITS ON LIFETIME EWE PERFORMANCE
25th Conference of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics (AAABG) (Perth, WA, 26/07/2023–28/07/2023)
07/2023
Abstract
Visual traits are considered valuable components within the breeding objectives of many Merino breeders. This paper aimed to estimate genetic and phenotypic correlations between visual traits and growth, body composition, reproduction and survival in adult ewes. The data were derived from Merino Lifetime Productivity (MLP) sites. Heritability estimates were high for body weight, eye muscle depth, fat depth, body wrinkle, breech wrinkle, breech cover and classer grade (0.32 – 0.64), moderate for urine stain (0.21) and legs score (0.23) and low for weaning rate (0.07) and ewe survival (0.06). Low to moderate negative (favourable) genetic correlations were estimated between the visual traits and body weight and composition, reproduction, and survival traits. Phenotypic correlations between the visual traits and adult body composition and weaning rate traits were negative and low. The genetic and phenotypic correlations estimated in this study were generally favourable hence consideration of visual traits in selection and classing may have beneficial effects on adult ewe performance.
Details
- Title
- PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF VISUAL TRAITS ON LIFETIME EWE PERFORMANCE
- Authors/Creators
- P.K. WahinyaD.J. Brown - University of New EnglandS.F. WalkomTracey Bird-Gardiner - Department of Primary Industries, Trangie NSWBronwyn Clarke - Murdoch University, Centre for Animal Production and HealthJ. L. SmithA.A. Swan
- Conference
- 25th Conference of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics (AAABG) (Perth, WA, 26/07/2023–28/07/2023)
- Grants
- Merino Ewe Lifetime Productivity Project, 16729, General
- Identifiers
- 991005650570307891
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Centre for Animal Production and Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Conference paper
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