Beef Cattle Population Research Articles

Evaluation and development strategy of cattle breeding area-based on smallholder farmers community in Jambi

The efforts to increase the national beef cattle population can be done through the development of area-based beef cattle. SPR-IPB were an example of the concept of developing regional-based beef cattle farming based on smallholder communities. This study aimed to evaluated the area of beef cattle farming in SPR based on the profile of the farmer, institutions, existing livestock conditions and factors that influence the development of beef cattle farming. Surveys and observations were done in October-November 2020 at SPR Kuamang Abadi, Bungo District, Jambi. Ninety-nine farmers in 4 villages (Tirta Mulya, Lingga Kuamang, Cilodang, and Sumber Harapan) were involved in this study. Qualitative and quantitative descriptive statistics were used in this study. The results of the area evaluation show that the SPR Kuamang Abadi was included in the category of built up area (score 600.5). Problems related to the development of beef cattle farming areas include the non-functioning of the organization’s internal divisions, limited facilities and animal health personnel, and underutilized financial institutions. The recommendation for the results of this study was the development of beef cattle farms at SPR Kuamang Abadi can be done by strengthening human resources and institutions, strengthening facilities and infrastructure, accelerating access to technology adoption and innovation, strengthening marketing strategies, and strengthening cooperation.

Performances of Bali cow kept by the palm oil farmers in Rokan Hulu, Riau

The development of the beef cattle population in Indonesia can be done by increasing the cows’ performance keeping by oil palm farmers. The research aimed to study Bali cows’ production system and performance maintained by oil palm farmers in Karya Mulya Village, Rambah Samo District, Rokan Hulu Regency, Riau. Fifteen farmers as respondent with 33 of their Bali cows were the subjects of observation. This research was conducted using the interview method, focused on the production system, body size, and reproductive performance. Data were analyzed descriptively, quantitative, and qualitative. The study results on body size showed that the Bali cows had a chest circumference of 156.68±7.07 cm, shoulder height 112.73±8.86 cm, absolute body length 113.77±5.26 cm, relative body length 105±6.89 cm, body weight 253.65±28.64 kg, and body condition score 2.91±0.50. Reproductive performance includes the calving interval is 376.96±77.65 days, weaning time is 7.74±1.16 months, postpartum estrus 72.00±36.81 days, postpartum mating 72.00±36.81 days, service per conception 1.23±0.8, calf mortality 6.25%, calf weaning weight at 205 days is 97.59±22.88 kg, cows reproductive index 0.96 ± 0.26 and productivity 68.23 ± 46.89. It concluded that Bali cows raised by oil palm farmers in Rokan Hulu, Riau had good performance and body size.

Inbreeding Calculated with Runs of Homozygosity Suggests Chromosome-Specific Inbreeding Depression Regions in Line 1 Hereford.

Simple SummaryInbreeding depression is the decreased fitness of offspring of closely related individuals. It is a common problem in the livestock industry as a consequence of intense selection favoring few animals with higher genetic merit. The literature shows that inbred individuals may also exhibit decreased performance for economically relevant traits, such as growth in beef cattle. However, this relationship is not simple. The use of genetic markers can improve the detection of homozygous regions and improve the calculation of inbreeding coefficients. The working hypothesis of this study is that genomic homozygous regions can be used to predict animals’ performance. Moreover, homozygous regions across the genome differ in their effects. Our results indicate that the relationship between homozygosity and decreased performance varies by chromosome. Additionally, the inbreeding coefficient can be used to predict animals’ phenotype when calculated within a chromosome. This research warrants the development of a new approach in genomic selection to increase prediction accuracy by including information on homozygous regions. Additionally, management tools can be developed with the goal of breeding individuals with a purpose to decrease homozygosity only in the relevant regions of the genome.The goal of this study was to evaluate inbreeding in a closed beef cattle population and assess phenotype prediction accuracy using inbreeding information. Effects of inbreeding on average daily gain phenotype in the Line 1 Hereford cattle population were assessed in this study. Genomic data were used to calculate inbreeding based on runs of homozygosity (ROH), and pedigree information was used to calculate the probability of an allele being identical by descent. Prediction ability of phenotypes using inbreeding coefficients calculated based on pedigree information and runs of homozygosity over the whole genome was close to 0, even in the case of significant inbreeding coefficient effects. On the other hand, inbreeding calculated per individual chromosomes’ ROH yielded higher accuracies of prediction. Additionally, including only ROH from chromosomes with higher predicting ability further increased prediction accuracy. Phenotype prediction accuracy, inbreeding depression, and the effects of chromosome-specific ROHs varied widely across the genome. The results of this study suggest that inbreeding should be evaluated per individual regions of the genome. Moreover, mating schemes to avoid inbreeding depression should focus more on specific ROH with negative effects. Finally, using ROH as added information may increase prediction of the genetic merit of animals in a genomic selection program.

21 Unravelling Transmission Ratio Distortion Across the Genome of a Crossbreed Beef Cattle Population

Abstract Transmission ratio distortion (TRD) is a process when one allele from either parent is preferentially transmitted to the offspring. The identification of genomic regions affected by TRD might help in the detection of lethal alleles or potential genes affecting reproduction. Here, we investigated TRD in crossbreed beef cattle population aiming to identify genomic regions showing altered deviations in segregation that could be affecting reproduction performance. A total of 237 genotyped animals were used including 46 sires, 80 dams, and 111 parent-offspring (trios). The predominant breeds of these animals were Angus (61.83%), Simmental (18.99%), Gelbvieh (6.12%), Charolais (3.65%), Hereford (2.46%) and Limousin (1.57%). After excluding SNPs with minor allele frequency lower than 0.05 and call-rate lower than 0.90, a total of 369,902 autosomal SNPs were retained for further analyses. The SNP-by-SNP analysis was performed within a Bayesian framework using TRDscanv.2.0 software, using 100,000 iterations, with 10,000 iterations being discarded as burn-in. As table 1 shows, 33 SNPs were identified with TRD, considering a Bayes Factor (BF)≥100 and the approximate empirical null distribution of TRD at 0.01% margin error. Among them, 26 SNPs were parent-unspecific and 7 SNPs were parent-specific TRD. For parent-specific TRD, 214 were identified for sire- and 162 for dam-TRD (BF≥100). Among them, 4 SNPs were detected with sire- and dam-TRD in opposite direction of preference of transmission. Preliminary functional and positional analysis was performed using the list of TRD regions with BF≥100 and the approximate empirical null distribution of TRD at 0.01% margin error. For sire-TRD, 14% of the identified QTL (n = 254) were related to non-return rate. For dam-TRD, 21 regions related to conception rate were found (1.5%) and 13 regions related to stillbirth (0.93%). Haplotype analysis is in progress to identify additional candidate regions and alleles with TRD to better understand this phenomenon in a crossbreed beef population.

29 Effects of Recent and Ancient Inbreeding on Growth in American Angus Cattle

Abstract The accumulation of inbreeding can lead to an unfavorable change in the phenotypic value of individuals for traits related to fitness, also known as inbreeding depression. However, inbreeding accumulated at a more distant past (ancient inbreeding) is expected to have a smaller depressive effect than that accumulated more recently due to the loss of detrimental alleles caused by purifying selection. Therefore, the aim of this study was to quantify the inbreeding depression caused by recent and ancient inbreeding for birth weight, weaning weight, and post-weaning gain. Pedigree and genomic information were obtained from Angus Genetics, Inc. (St. Joseph, MO) for 569,364 individuals from the American Angus breed. Pedigree inbreeding and genomic inbreeding based on runs of homozygosity (ROH) were estimated using the SNP1101 software. Model-based genomic inbreeding based on the probability a marker is part of a homozygous-by-descent segment (HBD) was estimated using the RZooROH in R. The generational cutoffs for designating inbreeding as recent was that acquired 5 generations ago or sooner for pedigree, 6.25 generations ago or sooner for ROH, and 8 generations ago or sooner for HBD inbreeding. The effect of a 1% increase in inbreeding was modeled in males and females using a linear mixed model approach. Recent pedigree inbreeding was found to decrease birth weight by 0.04 and 0.03 kg, decrease weaning weight by 0.50 and 0.48 kg, and decrease post-weaning gain by 0.62 and 0.32 kg, in males and females respectively. Ancient pedigree inbreeding was generally found to have no effect on growth. For genomic inbreeding, when both recent and ancient inbreeding had a detrimental effect on growth, recent inbreeding generally had a larger effect. The results of this study demonstrate that inbreeding accumulated recently should be quantified and managed in beef cattle populations to avoid economic losses.

Breed availability analysis of local beef cattle in Seram Utara Timur Seti District Maluku Tengah Regency

This study aim were to analyze the potential availability of breeds for beef cattle development in Seram Utara Timur Seti District. The research method used was a desk study and survey method. Desk studies were conducted by utilizing relevant secondary data from various related agencies, as well as relevant research results. Meanwhile, surveys and direct observations in the field were carried out in the Animal Husbandry Production Center (KSP) areas, namely Wailoping, Kobisonta and Waitila Village. The variables observed included population structure and potential availability of beef cattle. The results showed that the proportion of the beef cattle population for the categories of calves, youth and adults was 23.18; 22.18 and 54.64% respectively. The sex ratio of male to female in all age categories is still below the normal ratio of 1 male to 5. Total breed growth (net increase) was 70 tails per year from the total population of beef cattle in Seram Utara Timur Seti District (13,032 tails). The total growth of beef cattle is still less than 1% (around 130 heads) of the total population, so it is necessary to pay attention for the development of the source area for beef cattle breeding in Seram Utara Timur Seti District.

Modeling the effects of steroid implant use on the environmental and economic sustainability of Brazilian beef production.

Brazilian beef systems contribute 14.9% of global beef production, therefore given climate change concerns, there is a clear need to reduce environmental impacts while maintaining economic viability. This study evaluated the hypothesis that steroid implant use in Brazilian beef cattle would reduce resource use, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and economic costs of production, thereby improving environmental and economic sustainability. A deterministic model based on beef cattle population demographics, nutrition and performance was used to quantify resource inputs and GHG emissions per 1.0 × 106 kg of hot carcass weight (HCW) beef. System boundaries extended from cropping input manufacture to cattle arriving at the slaughterhouse. Beef systems were modeled using herd population dynamics, feed and performance data sourced from producers in four Brazilian states, with additional data from global databases. Implants were used in calves, growing and finishing cattle at low (LI), medium (MI), and high (HI) levels of performance enhancement, compared to nonimplanted (NI) controls. Feed use results were used in combination with producer-derived input costs to assess the economic impacts of implant use, including production costs and returns on investment. Improved FCE, ADG, and carcass weights conferred by implant use reduced the number of cattle and the time taken to produce 1.0 × 106 kg HCW beef. Compared to NI controls, the quantities of feed, land, water and fossil fuels required to produce 1.0 × 106 kg HCW beef was reduced in implanted cattle, with reductions proportional to the performance-enhancing effect of the implant (HI > MI > LI). Implant use reduced GHG emissions per 1.0 × 106 kg HCW beef by 9.4% (LI), 12.6% (MI), or 15.8% (HI). Scaling up the MI effects to represent all eligible Brazilian cattle being implanted, revealed avoided GHG emissions equivalent to the annual exhaust emissions of 62.0 × 106 cars. Economic impacts of implant use reflected the environmental results, resulting in a greater margin for the producers within each system (cow-calf through to finishing). The 6.13% increase in kg of HCW beef produced generates a cost reduction of 3.76% and an increase in the return on invested capital of 4.14% on average. Implants offer the opportunity for Brazilian beef producers to demonstrate their dedication to improving environmental and economic sustainability through improved productivity, although care must be taken to avoid negative trade-offs.

The Analysis of Capacity Increase in Beef Cattle Population in The South Konawe Regency

This research aimed to determine the maximum potential for increasing the population of beef cattle in the South Konawe Regency Southeast Sulawesi Province based on natural resources and the ability of the head of the farmer family to raise cattle. This research was conducted 5th October to 28th December 2019. Determination of research location was carried out purposely (purposive sampling), with the consideration that South Konawe Regency was a central area for Bali cattle breeding. The data analysis was carried out by analyzing the supporting capacity of forage from pasture land and non-pasture land (rice fields, plantations, forests and moor) as well as the production of agricultural food crop waste (rice, corn, peanuts, green beans, cassava, sweet potatoes and soybeans), using tabular data in the form of data on food crop production and land area. Potential analysis of beef cattle business development in South Konawe Regency using the calculation of the Capacity Increase of Ruminant Population/Kapasitas Peningkatan Populasi Ternak Ruminansia (KPPTR). Based on the results of research in South Konawe Regency, the number can still be increased by 7,478 Animal Units. If the value is converted to adult female-male cows with an age of >2 years, the population addition can be done as many as 7,478 cows. Meanwhile, if converted to female-male heifers with an age of 1-2 years, the population increase can be increased by 14,956 and if converted to female-male calves with an age of >1 year, the population increase can be done up to 28,912.

Metafounders May Reduce Bias in Composite Cattle Genomic Predictions.

Metafounders are pseudo-individuals that act as proxies for animals in base populations. When metafounders are used, individuals from different breeds can be related through pedigree, improving the compatibility between genomic and pedigree relationships. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of metafounders and unknown parent groups (UPGs) for the genomic evaluation of a composite beef cattle population. Phenotypes were available for scrotal circumference at 14 months of age (SC14), post weaning gain (PWG), weaning weight (WW), and birth weight (BW). The pedigree included 680,551 animals, of which 1,899 were genotyped for or imputed to around 30,000 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Evaluations were performed based on pedigree (BLUP), pedigree with UPGs (BLUP_UPG), pedigree with metafounders (BLUP_MF), single-step genomic BLUP (ssGBLUP), ssGBLUP with UPGs for genomic and pedigree relationship matrices (ssGBLUP_UPG) or only for the pedigree relationship matrix (ssGBLUP_UPGA), and ssGBLUP with metafounders (ssGBLUP_MF). Each evaluation considered either four or 10 groups that were assigned based on breed of founders and intermediate crosses. To evaluate model performance, we used a validation method based on linear regression statistics to obtain accuracy, stability, dispersion, and bias of (genomic) estimated breeding value [(G)EBV]. Overall, relationships within and among metafounders were stronger in the scenario with 10 metafounders. Accuracy was greater for models with genomic information than for BLUP. Also, the stability of (G)EBVs was greater when genomic information was taken into account. Overall, pedigree-based methods showed lower inflation/deflation (regression coefficients close to 1.0) for SC14, WWM, and BWD traits. The level of inflation/deflation for genomic models was small and trait-dependent. Compared with regular ssGBLUP, ssGBLUP_MF4 displayed regression coefficient closer to one SC14, PWG, WWM, and BWD. Genomic models with metafounders seemed to be slightly more stable than models with UPGs based on higher similarity of results with different numbers of groups. Further, metafounders can help to reduce bias in genomic evaluations of composite beef cattle populations without reducing the stability of GEBVs.

Keunggulan Kompetitif dan Sistem Produksi Usaha Ternak Sapi Potong di Kabupaten Gunung Kidul

The research has been conducted to find out a competitive advantage of beef cattle farming. Data used in this research was primary data collected through survey in Gunung Kidul Regency, Province of Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta. The location determination was conducted in purposive based on population of beef cattle. The selected location was Sub district of Karang Mojo and Semanu. Total sample was defined in quota that is 240 beef cattle farmers, each 120 beef cattle farmers in Karang Mojo and Semanu. Sample selection was taken in simple random sampling. The result suggested that (1) Factors influenced to production of beef cattle farming were breeding, dedak, forage, labour, PCR and production system of beef cattle farming, (2) PCR value has negative relationship to production of beef cattle farming, the meaning is the higher the PCR value, the lower the production of beef cattle farming, (3) Production system and management of fattening has really a higher production than breeding production system. The competitive advantage has to be special target on building and expanding domestic beef cattle development. Considering that competitive advantage being indicators was financial price, then the increase of competitive advantage must be directed over the effort to influence the financial price, both to input or output used. Another way that can be performed to increase a competitive advantage was through the use of input that has cheap financial price. Keywords: Competitive Advantage, Production system, Beef Cattle

Analysis of the Potential of Beef Cattle Business Development in Indramayu District

This study aimed to analyze the potential for cattle business development in Indramayu Regency. The research locations selected using purposive sampling method were based on the following criteria: (1) Indramayu Regency is the 2nd largest rice producers in the Province of West Java, (2) The area covers 2,099.42 km2 based on secondary data obtained from BPS Indramayu Regency in numbers and (3) The area of agricultural land is still larger than the area of resident housing. The data analysis method used the carrying capacity index (IDD) and Location Question (LQ) analysis formulas. The data were processed and explained descriptively. The results of this study resulted in carrying capacity values consisting of 3 patterns, namely the highest carrying capacity value > 20,000 AU (Gantar and Terisi). Medium carrying capacity value > 10,000 AU (Cikedung and Gabuswetan). Low value carrying capacity 5.000-10.000 AU (Haurgelis, Suyeg, Juntiyuat, Bongdua, Kertasemaya, Patrol, Kedokanbunder and Sindang). The results of the analysis of IDD > 2 there are 12 sub-districts, meaning that based on the availability of forage feed from agricultural land, it is included in the safe category to increase the population of beef cattle. The potential for beef cattle development in Indramayu Regency needs to be prioritized in 12 sub-districts with LQ > 1 and IDD > 2 accompanied by government policies to support investment in livestock marketing facilities and infrastructure for smallholders.

Long-range linkage disequilibrium in French beef cattle breeds

BackgroundLinkage disequilibrium (LD) is a key parameter to study the history of populations and to identify and fine map quantitative trait loci (QTL) and it has been studied for many years in animal populations. The advent of new genotyping technologies has allowed whole-genome LD studies in most cattle populations. However, to date, long-range LD (LRLD) between distant variants on the genome has not been investigated in detail in cattle. Here, we present the first comprehensive study of LRLD in French beef cattle by analysing data on 672 Charolais (CHA), 462 Limousine (LIM) and 326 Blonde d’Aquitaine (BLA) individuals that were genotyped on the Illumina BovineHD Beadchip. Furthermore, whole-genome LD and haplotype block structure were analysed in these three breeds.ResultsWe computed linkage disequilibrium (r2) values for 5.9, 5.6 and 6.0 billion pairs of SNPs on the 29 autosomes of CHA, LIM and BLA, respectively. Mean r2 values drop to less than 0.1 for distances between SNPs greater than 120 kb. However, for the first time, we detected the existence of LRLD in the three main French beef breeds. In total, 598, 266, and 795 LRLD events (r2 ≥ 0.6) were detected in CHA, LIM and BLA, respectively. Each breed had predominantly population-specific LRLD interactions, although shared LRLD events occurred in a number of regions (55 LRLD events were shared between two breeds and nine between the three breeds). Examples of possible functional gene interactions and QTL co-location were observed with some of these LRLD events, which suggests epistatic selection.ConclusionsWe identified long-range linkage disequilibrium for the first time in French beef cattle populations. Epistatic selection may be the main source of the observed LRLD events, but other forces may also be involved. LRLD information should be accounted for in genome-wide association studies.

OPTIMIZATION OF THE ACEH BEEF CATTLE PRODUCTION AND PROCESS USING SWOT ANALYSIS AND INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY CHAIN APPROACHES

The problem in management process and production of Aceh beef cattle farms in Aceh Besar has not been explored. This study aimed to determine the basic system of supply chain for the Aceh beef cattle production in Central Aceh Besar developed a model for optimizing the supply chain management and sustainability to increase productivity and business efficiency. This research used SWOT analysis and industrial supply chain approaches. The results showed that the current supply chain system of the Aceh beef cattle industry in Aceh Besar which has been running so far, needs to be strengthened to increase production and population of Aceh beef cattle in the future. There were 4 issues were identified: time, 29.6% faster than the current supply chain supply time; method, 60% no longer needed a business intermediary; cost, 21.4% of the live weight price of cattle was cheaper than the live weight price of current supply chain cattle; and stages, 30.8% shorter than the ongoing supply chain stages. The result of the SWOT analysis matrix showed that the SO (strength-opportunities) strategy was the main strategy for business developing of Aceh beef cattle in Central Aceh. In conclusion, it is necessary to optimize the implementation of the supply chain of Aceh Cattle Industry at Central Aceh by utilizing its strengths and suppressing the existing weaknesses from the breeding production to marketing process.

Product as potential of supporting agricultural by large ruminant feed in Bireun Regency

The purpose of this study was to determine the capacity of agricultural crop waste for large ruminants Feed-in Bireun District. This research uses primary and secondary data sources. The observed variables consisted of beef cattle and buffalo population, production of feed crop waste, the requirement for digested dry matter (DDM), and the capacity of the DDM from food crop waste as large ruminant feed. The data is presented descriptively in the form of data processing results from secondary data with previous studies’ results. The beef cattle population in Bireun Regency is 38,151.44 livestock units (LU) and buffalo 1. 552 LU. The requirement of forage is 45,261.92 tons of DDM per year. DDM production per year from agricultural crop waste from rice, corn, and soybeans is 63,315.28 tons of DDM per year. The highest production of DDM is derived from rice crop waste amounting to 36,653.68 tons per year, while DDM originated from corn crop waste 3,637.5 tons per year and soybeans 23,024.1 tons per year. The potential of forage feed from food crop waste is 54,901.73 tons of DDM per year and can still be used for 48,159.41 LU. It was concluded that Bireun Regency could increase the population of ruminant animals by increasing the benefits of forage originating from food crop waste.

Genetic parameter estimates for bull prolificacy and its relationship with scrotal circumference in a commercial beef cattle population.

The commercial beef cattle industry relies heavily on the use of natural service sires. When artificial insemination is deemed difficult to implement, multisire breeding pastures are used to increase reproductive rates in large breeding herds or to safe-guard against bull injury during the breeding season. Although each bull might be given an equal opportunity to produce offspring, evidence suggest that there is substantial variation in the number of calves sired by each bull in a breeding pasture. With the use of DNA-based paternity testing, correctly assigning calves to their respective sires in multisire pastures is possible and presents an opportunity to investigate the degree to which this trait complex is under genetic control. Field data from a large commercial ranch was used to estimate genetic parameters for calf count (CC; 574 records from 443 sires) and yearling scrotal circumference (SC; n = 1961) using univariate and bivariate animal models. Calf counts averaged 12.2 ± 10.7 and SC averaged 35.4 ± 2.30 cm. Bulls had an average of 1.30 records and there were 23.9 ± 11.1 bulls per contemporary group. The model for CC included fixed effects of age during the breeding season (in years) and contemporary group (concatenation of breeding pasture and year). Random effects included additive genetic and permanent environmental effects, and a residual. The model for SC included fixed effects of age (in days) and contemporary group (concatenation of month and year of measurement). Random effects included an additive genetic effect and a residual. Univariate model heritability estimates for CC and SC were 0.178 ± 0.142 and 0.455 ± 0.072, respectively. Similarly, the bivariate model resulted in heritability estimates for CC and SC of 0.184 ± 0.142 and 0.457 ± 0.072, respectively. Repeatability estimates for CC from univariate and bivariate models were 0.315 ± 0.080 and 0.317 ± 0.080, respectively. The estimate of genetic correlation between CC and SC was 0.268 ± 0.274. Heritability estimates suggest that both CC and SC would respond favorably to selection. Moreover, CC is lowly repeatable and although favorably correlated, SC appears to be weakly associated with CC.

PSIII-8 Genetic Parameter Estimates for Bull Prolificacy and Its Relationship with Scrotal Circumference in a Commercial Beef Cattle Population

Abstract The commercial beef cattle industry relies heavily on the use of natural service sires. Either due to the size of breeding herds or to safe-guard against injury during the breeding season, multiple-sire breeding pastures are utilized. Although each bull might be given an equal opportunity to produce offspring, evidence suggest that there is substantial variation in the number of calves sired by each bull in a breeding pasture. DNA-based paternity assignment enables correct assignment of calves to their respective sires in multi-sire pastures and presents an opportunity to investigate the degree to which this trait complex is under genetic control. Field data from a large commercial ranch were used to estimate genetic parameters for calf count (CC; n=623) and yearling scrotal circumference (SC; n=1962) using univariate and bivariate animal models. Average CC and SC were 12.1±11.1 calves and 35.4±2.30 cm, respectively. Average number breeding seasons per bull and bulls per contemporary group were 1.40 and 24.9, respectively. The model for CC included fixed effects of age during the breeding season (in years) and contemporary group (concatenation of breeding pasture and year). Random effects included additive genetic and permanent environmental effects, and a residual. The model for SC included fixed effects of age (in days) and contemporary group (concatenation of month and year of measurement). Random effects included an additive genetic effect and a residual. Univariate model heritability estimates for CC and SC were 0.237±0.156 and 0.456±0.072, respectively. Similarly, the bivariate model resulted in heritability estimates for CC and SC of 0.240±0.155 and 0.461±0.072, respectively. Repeatability estimates for CC from univariate and bivariate models were 0.517±0.054 and 0.518±0.053, respectively. The estimate of genetic correlation between CC and SC was 0.270±0.220. Parameter estimates suggest that both CC and SC would respond favorably to selection and that CC is moderately repeatable.

Screening of backfat thickness and musculus longissimus lumborum et thoracis depth of Aberdeen Angus cattle in Czech condition

The aim of this study was to monitor the Czech Aberdeen Angus population for backfat thickness (BT), musculus longissimus lumborum et thoracis (MUSCLE) and live weight (LW) in relation to environmental and genetic conditions. In this study, we also wanted to display the potential for future inclusion of these parameters into national monitoring. Parameters of BT, MUSCLE and LW were measured at 120, 210, and 365 days of age in 769 Aberdeen Angus calves (417 bulls and 352 heifers) on seven farms. Statistical evaluation was performed in the SAS v9.3 software. The bulls achieved significantly higher (P < 0.01) weights and larger MUSCLE compared to the heifers, although the heifers had higher BT. The age of the dam at calving significantly influenced the growth ability of tested calves, but it did not influence BT nor MUSCLE. The nested effect of the year-season, farm and sire bulls (or genetic background) significantly affected LW, BT and MUSCLE of tested calves. The use of the same breeding bulls on different farms resulted in significant differences in growth parameters. Our results displayed the potential of nationwide monitoring of MUSCLE and BT of beef breeds, as official parameters of the beef performance testing in the Czech Republic. The inclusion of these globally used traits in the Czech breeding system would allow to predict breeding values for the Czech beef population. This would lead not only to general improvement of MUSCLE in the population, but also to the production of better breeding animals and slaughter animals with higher value.

Accounting for Population Structure and Phenotypes From Relatives in Association Mapping for Farm Animals: A Simulation Study.

Population structure or genetic relatedness should be considered in genome association studies to avoid spurious association. The most used methods for genome-wide association studies (GWAS) account for population structure but are limited to genotyped individuals with phenotypes. Single-step GWAS (ssGWAS) can use phenotypes from non-genotyped relatives; however, its ability to account for population structure has not been explored. Here we investigate the equivalence among ssGWAS, efficient mixed-model association expedited (EMMAX), and genomic best linear unbiased prediction GWAS (GBLUP-GWAS), and how they differ from the single-SNP analysis without correction for population structure (SSA-NoCor). We used simulated, structured populations that mimicked fish, beef cattle, and dairy cattle populations with 1040, 5525, and 1,400 genotyped individuals, respectively. Larger populations were also simulated that had up to 10-fold more genotyped animals. The genomes were composed by 29 chromosomes, each harboring one QTN, and the number of simulated SNPs was 35,000 for the fish and 65,000 for the beef and dairy cattle populations. Males and females were genotyped in the fish and beef cattle populations, whereas only males had genotypes in the dairy population. Phenotypes for a trait with heritability varying from 0.25 to 0.35 were available in both sexes for the fish population, but only for females in the beef and dairy cattle populations. In the latter, phenotypes of daughters were projected into genotyped sires (i.e., deregressed proofs) before applying EMMAX and SSA-NoCor. Although SSA-NoCor had the largest number of true positive SNPs among the four methods, the number of false negatives was two–fivefold that of true positives. GBLUP-GWAS and EMMAX had a similar number of true positives, which was slightly smaller than in ssGWAS, although the difference was not significant. Additionally, no significant differences were observed when deregressed proofs were used as pseudo-phenotypes in EMMAX compared to daughter phenotypes in ssGWAS for the dairy cattle population. Single-step GWAS accounts for population structure and is a straightforward method for association analysis when only a fraction of the population is genotyped and/or when phenotypes are available on non-genotyped relatives.

Heat stress during late pregnancy and postpartum influences genetic parameter estimates for birth weight and weight gain in dual-purpose cattle offspring generations.

Impact of direct heat stress (HS) on genetic parameter estimates, i.e., HS close to the trait recording date, was verified in several previous studies conducted in dairy and beef cattle populations. The aim of the present study was to analyze the impact of time-lagged HS at different recording periods during late pregnancy (a.p.) and postpartum (p.p.) on genetic parameter estimates for birth weight (BWT) and weight gain traits (200 d- and 365 d-weight gain (200dg, 365dg)) in offspring of the dual-purpose cattle breed "Rotes Höhenvieh" (RHV). Furthermore, we estimated genetic correlations within traits across time-lagged climatic indicators, in order to proof possible genotype by environment interactions (G×E). Trait recording included 5,434 observations for BWT, 3,679 observations for 200dg and 2,998 observations for 365dg. Time-lagged climatic descriptors were classes for the mean temperature humidity index (mTHI) and number of HS days (nHS) from the following periods: 7 d-period a.p. (BWT), 56 d-period a.p., and 56 d-period p.p. (200dg and 365dg). Genetic parameters were estimated via 2-trait animal models, i.e., defining the same trait in different climatic environments as different traits. Genetic variances and heritabilities for all traits increased with increasing mTHI- and nHS-classes for all recording periods, indicating pronounced genetic differentiation with regard to time-lagged in utero HS and HS directly after birth. Similarly, in low mTHI- and nHS-classes indicating cold stress, genetic variances, and heritabilities were larger than for temperate climates. Genetic correlations substantially smaller than 0.80 indicating G × E were observed when considering same traits from mTHI- and nHS-classes in greater distance. Estimated breeding values (EBV) of the 10 most influential sires with the largest number of offspring records fluctuated across mTHI- and nHS-classes. Correlations between sire EBV for same traits from distant climatic classes confirmed the genetic correlation estimates. Sires displaying stable EBV with climatic alterations were also identified. Selection of those sires might contribute to improved robustness in the RHV outdoor population genetically.

POTENTIAL ANIMAL FEED RESOURCES BASED ON FOOD CROP WASTE SUPPORTS DEVELOPMENT OF BEEF CATTLE IN WEST SUMATERA, INDONESIA

The increase in the need for animal-based food consumption creates opportunities in the development of cattle farming in the future. But the problems in the field are a decrease in livestock productivity such as a decrease in livestock population and a decrease in livestock body weight, this is due to the lack of availability of sustainable animal feed. The solution offered is to use food crop waste as an alternative feed for livestock, so it is necessary to analyze the carrying capacity of food crop waste in an area. The purpose of this research is to analyze the potential resources of beef cattle feed based on food plant waste in West Sumatra Province and to analyze the nutritional content of food plant waste. The research was conducted in West Sumatra Province in January 2021. The method used was literature study and secondary data analysis. The data required consists of: (1) food crop production data, (2) beef cattle population data in West Sumatra Province. Data were analyzed by analyzing the carrying capacity of food plant waste. The results showed the availability of feed in West Sumatra Province 728,195.32 tonnes BKC / year, while the current total feed requirement is only 410,159.32 tonnes BKC / year. This shows the large potential for feed that has not been utilized, and this means that there is a large opportunity for Prov. West Sumatra in the future development of ruminants. The carrying capacity index of food plant waste (IDD) is 2.37, which means that it has a safe status where food plant waste is able to help support the needs of animal feed in West Sumatra Province. To increase the nutritional value of food plant waste, it can be overcome by giving a touch of waste processing technology innovations such as fermentation, silage, or ammonia. The results of this study are important as recommendations for the government regarding the sources of information on areas that have the potential to develop livestock business, which can be seen from the status of the area’s carrying capacity index or the potential availability of abundant animal feed.