Genetic Analysis of Economic Characteristics of Young Hereford Cattle

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Abstract
Heritability estimates were determined for 10 traits using 420 heifers and 499 steers. Traits were weaning weight, weaning grade, yearling weight, yearling grade and yearling gain for both sexes taken on the range. Daily feed-lot gain, final weight, live animal grade, carcass weight, dressing percentage and carcass grade were used for steers. Estimates were made of the genetic, environmental and phenotypic correlations among the traits for each sex and for both sexes combined. Separate analyses of weaning and yearling data from steers and heifers resulted in similar heritability estimates for most traits and comparable correlations a-mong traits. Traits which were a function of growth were rather highly heritable and correlated with each other. Grades at different ages were moderately to highly heritable and generally highly correlated. Grades had low genetic correlations with gains or weights.

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