Abstract
Simple SummaryMeat production plays an important role in the efficiency of rearing dual-purpose breeds of cattle in Europe. It is generally known and accepted that most of the beef produced in the EU is produced from dairy herds. This fact provided the motivation for analyzing the influence of genetic and environmental factors on the indicators of meat production from Fleckvieh (known also as dairy Simmental) cattle in the Czech Republic and the interrelationships between these factors. The analysis included evaluating the statistical relationship between the degree of fatness, the heritability and genetic correlation with other traits and also the relationship with exterior muscularity. Together with this analysis, the normal indicators, which are usually evaluated in the population, were also analyzed. The results of our study indicate that meat yield traits are positively related to the live weight of the animal. These findings create possibilities for application in breeding strategies of dual-purpose cattle.The goal of this study was to analyze the genetic and environmental factors of selected meat yield indicators in Fleckvieh cattle in the Czech Republic, through the application of station (S) and field (F) testing methods. Data collected from fattened bulls were analyzed for F (n = 9378) and for S (n = 6346). In the F method and the S method, the values of the main meat yield indicators were as follows: carcass weight 402.91 kg (F), 339.37 kg (S); carcass daily gain 626.05 g/day (F), 609.74 g/day (S); SEUROP carcass classification 2.73 (F), 2.19 (S). Environmental factors were found to have a significant impact on the selected meat yield indicators; their heritability ranged from 0.14 (SEUROP classification) to 0.33 (dressing percentage). The genetic trend was significantly positive only in relation to those meat yield traits, which had a positive link to the size or weight of the animal. The genetic correlation between observations obtained in the S and F methods of testing was very high in relation to the carcass daily gain (0.8351) and carcass weight (0.8244), while slightly lower correlations were calculated for the SEUROP classification. A genetic evaluation of the degree of fatness is not routinely performed in Fleckvieh populations, and the newly established heritability for this trait ranges between 0.17–0.20. The genetic correlation between beef yield indicators and the exterior trait of muscularity was also established, and shows a strong link to the net daily gain, the SEUROP classification and body weight (0.79–0.97). The aim of the study was to evaluate the genetic and environmental effects on meat yield and also estimate genetic parameters for new traits. We can also state, based on the results, that a strong positive genetic trend is confirmed, especially in traits related to the size or weight of animals. This result can be used in breeding programs of dual-purpose cattle, where we can genetically improve the meat and milk yield through the body size.
Highlights
The meat yield testing in the station method (S) and the field method (F) was analysed by [1,2].Analysis of meat yield from Fleckvieh cattle at fattening control station (FCS) stations was pursued by [3] and provided important guidance on analyses for meat traits in this breed
An analysis of 9378 bulls from the field test and 6346 bulls using the station method shows that environmental, non-genetic factors appeared to have the most significant effect on the monitored meat yield traits
If we compare the station method to the field test (F), we can state that the station method (S)
Summary
The meat yield testing in the station method (S) and the field method (F) was analysed by [1,2]. Analysis of meat yield from Fleckvieh cattle at fattening control station (FCS) stations was pursued by [3] and provided important guidance on analyses for meat traits in this breed. Fleckvieh is the fourth biggest population of dual-purpose cattle in the world and the focus of genetic improvement has been widely put on milk and fitness traits in recent years [4,5,6]. Genetic improvement for meat yield in dual-purpose cattle breeds was previously negatively affected by the lack of information for estimating meat yield breeding values. Data from station (method S) and field testing (method F) are registered in the system and are available
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