Estimates of Genetic and Phenotypic Parameters in Beef Cattle IV. Repeatability of Cow Performance1

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Abstract
Repeatability estimates were obtained on data collected from a total of 1496 calves from the experimental herds of the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station, Blacksburg, and the Beef Cattle Research Station, Front Royal. Average repeatability estimates in the Blacksburg herd were 0.18 for birth weight, 0.30 for gain from birth to weaning, and 0.27 for weaning grade. Averaging the methods used over all breeds in the Front Royal data resulted in repeatability estimates of 0.30 for birth weight, 0.41 for gain from birth to midsummer, 0.32 for midsummer grade, 0.42 for gain from birth to weaning, and 0.23 for grade at weaning. Estimates obtained by the different methods of calculating repeatability were in good agreement. Estimates of repeatability obtained at midsummer agreed well with those at weaning, thus allowing for an accurate selection of cows to be made on the basis of growth rate and grade of their calves at a time prior to weaning. Copyright © . .

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