Abstract
Real time ultrasound data was generated on 10,596 live Hanwoo cows to study genetic variation on ultrasonic beef quality traits and to assess the best model to estimate genetic parameters on these traits. Pedigree stacking and data validation was done using the SAS statistical software and the genetic parameter estimates were obtained by EM-REML algorithm. Out of the five different multi-trait mixed animal models constructed, the optimal model included fixed effects of herd, year-season-appraisal, body condition score, linear and quadratic covariates for chest girth, the linear covariate effect of age and the random animal and residual effect of the five models studied. The heritability of longissimus muscle area (LMA), 12 th rib measurement of back fat thickness (BF) and marbling score (MS) was 0.11, 0.17 and 0.15, respectively. Genetic correlation of LMA vs. BF, LMA vs. MS and BF vs. MS was -0.15, 0.06 and 0.61, respectively. The results showed presence of genetic variation in these ultrasonic beef quality traits in Hanwoo cows and suggest that the selection of Hanwoo cows may be possible by performing ultrasonic scans on live animals, which will ultimately be helpful in reducing the generation interval and the cost of selection procedure. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2006. Vol 19, No. 4 : 468-474)
Highlights
Consumer’s demand regarding animal food quality and safety is gaining importance in new millennium
The results showed presence of genetic variation in these ultrasonic beef quality traits in Hanwoo cows and suggest that the selection of Hanwoo cows may be possible by performing ultrasonic scans on live animals, which will be helpful in reducing the generation interval and the cost of selection procedure
This emphasis has led to an increased awareness among the breeders towards carcass merit and selection of breeding cattle for beef quality traits. Measurement of these traits on live breeding cows is feasible by using the real time ultrasound technology, which is being used to estimate the fat thickness and muscle development for the genetic improvement of the population and is considered as a costeffective method (Wilson, 1992; Kemp et al, 2002)
Summary
Consumer’s demand regarding animal food quality and safety is gaining importance in new millennium. Several studies have shown that ultrasonic measurement of beef traits in yearling bulls and heifers have positive genetic correlations with corresponding carcass traits of progeny (Moser et al, 1998; Reverter et al, 2000; Bertrand, 2000; Lee and Kim, 2004).
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