Estimates of Genetic Variation for Angus Gestation Length

Abstract

Abstract The objective of this study was to estimate variance components for gestation length within the American Angus breed. Data (n = 148,649) from the American Angus Association, containing cattle born between 2000 to 2020, were used for the analysis. Based on a cow’s reproductive biology, gestation length records were determined acceptable if between 266 and 290 days (n = 114,857). Gestation length mean and standard deviation were 278.6 and 4.6 days, respectively. Average Information Restricted Maximum Likelihood (AIREML) was used to estimate variance components for the gestation length. A single trait animal model included random effects of direct and maternal additive genetic variance and fixed effects of dam age rounded to the nearest year, calf gender and contemporary group. Contemporary group was determined as herd, year of birth and season of birth combinations. Contemporary groups containing less than five animals were excluded from analysis. Phenotypic variance for gestation length was estimated at 18.9. Direct and maternal heritability estimates for gestation length were 0.59±0.01 and 0.10±0.01, respectively. Further analysis evaluated the fixed effects of year and dam age on gestation length. From 2000 to 2020, an increase in one year decreased (P < 0.01) gestation length by 0.09 days. Gestation length differed (P < 0.01) by age of dam. Gestation length LSMEANS for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 year old cows were 277.7, 278.6, 279.0, 279.2, 279.3, 279.5 and 279.6, respectively. Heritability estimates within Angus breed suggest gestation length has a high capacity for genetic change. Results suggest gestation length has decreased over the past two decades and is shorter in younger cows.