Beef Cattle Selection Indexes Involving Conformation and Weight

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Abstract
Phenotypic and genetic parameters for weaning weight, initial conformation, final conformation, post-weaning daily gain, and adjusted final weight were obtained from data collected on 473 animals from 56 different sires. The heritability estimates were within the range of estimates derived from previous studies. A negative genetic correlation of — .39 was obtained between weaning weight and final conformation. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between weaning weight and daily gain and between final conformation and daily gain were small and positive. Estimates of the relative net economic value for each trait and the genetic and phenotypic parameters were used in calculation of selection indexes involving weaning weight, initial conformation, final conformation, and daily gain. Final conformation was the least important trait and daily gain the most important in determining the theoretical genetic progress from selection. Results also indicate that daily gain must be included in the index if an appreciable amount of genetic improvement in daily gain is to be realized.