Estimates of Genetic, Environmental and Phenotypic Parameters in Range Hereford Females

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Abstract
Data collected on Hereford females at the United States Range Livestock Experiment Station, Miles City, Montana, from 1934 through 1959 were used to obtain heritability estimates and genetic, environmental, and phenotypic correlations among weights, gains, and scores from birth through mature weight. These estimates were used to predict expected change from direct and correlated responses from single trait selection. Heritability estimates obtained from paternal half-sib analyses were birth weight, 0.38; gain from birth to weaning, 0.40; 180-day weaning weight, 0.43; weaning score, 0.28; gain from weaning to 12 months, 0.45; 12-month weight, 0.41; gain from 12 to 18 months, 0.35; 18-month weight, 0.50; 18-month score, 0.13; mature spring weight, 0.52; and mature fall weight, 0.57. Genetic correlations among all weights and gains were fairly high, 0.40 to 0.99, except for those involving gain during the first winter from weaning to 12 months. Selection for 18-month weight appears to be a good single criterion for selection for growth throughout life. Copyright © 1964. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1964 by American Society of Animal Science