Abstract
A field trial was conducted to determine genetic parameters in veal and beef production, relationships between performance test and progeny test, and effects of performance and progeny testing on the returns from selection. Progeny of 61 performance-tested Dutch Red and White (DRW) bulls were fattened for veal and for beef. Heritabilities in veal and beef production traits varied from 0.09 to 0.30 and 0.08 to 0.48, respectively. Genetic correlations between corresponding traits in veal and beef production varied from 0.50 to 0.79. Genetic correlations between performance and progeny test were for daily gain 0.58 and 0.66 and for fleshiness 0.18 and 0.37, in veal and beef production, respectively. Effects of selection on performance test data and progeny data (traits of young calves and carcass traits of veal calves and beef bulls at slaughter) were compared. Selection for veal and beef production based on carcass data or based on performance test and carcass data yielded the highest returns. Selection for veal and beef production based on traits of young calves was less worthwhile.
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