Conformation Score Research Articles

Genetic and environmental effects on scores of conformation, precocity and muscling in long yearling Nellore cattle

The visual scores for conformation (C), precocity (P) and muscle (M) are used to indirectly assess traits related to termination and carcass composition. This study analyzes how age of dam at calving (AC), long yearling age (YA) and long yearling weight (YW) of the animal affect the scores of Nellore cattle, and estimates their heritability. Regression functions were estimated to determine the AC, YA and YW effects on C, P and M scores after the contemporary group (CG) effect being absorbed. The heritabilities were estimated by restricted maximum likelihood using four different models that included animal additive genetic effect as random and different covariates (AC, YA and YW) as fixed effects. The regression analysis showed that the covariates, either linear or quadratic, significantly influenced the scores of C, P and M. The determination coefficients of the models for YA and AC were small, probably due to the CG bias removal. The heritability estimates for the scores ranged from 0.13 to 0.36 for C; 0.32 to 0.36 for P; and, 0.35 to 0.38 for M, for all models, indicating that C, P and M respond to direct selection. The classification of animals according to their breeding values, especially in relation to C, varied according to the environmental effects included in the models.

Genetic and environmental effects on scores of conformation, precocity and muscling in long yearling Nellore cattle

<p>The visual scores for conformation (C), precocity (P) and muscle (M) are used to indirectly assess traits related to termination and carcass composition. This study analyzes how age of dam at calving (AC), long yearling age (YA) and long yearling weight (YW) of the animal affect the scores of Nellore cattle, and estimates their heritability. Regression functions were estimated to determine the AC, YA and YW effects on C, P and M scores after the contemporary group (CG) effect being absorbed. The heritabilities were estimated by restricted maximum likelihood using four different models that included animal additive genetic effect as random and different covariates (AC, YA and YW) as fixed effects. The regression analysis showed that the covariates, either linear or quadratic, significantly influenced the scores of C, P and M. The determination coefficients of the models for YA and AC were small, probably due to the CG bias removal. The heritability estimates for the scores ranged from 0.13 to 0.36 for C; 0.32 to 0.36 for P; and, 0.35 to 0.38 for M, for all models, indicating that C, P and M respond to direct selection. The classification of animals according to their breeding values, especially in relation to C, varied according to the environmental effects included in the models.</p>

Principal component analysis for evaluating a ranking method used in the performance testing in sheep of Morada Nova breed

A multivariate approach was adopted to evaluate the relationship among traits measured in the performance testing of Morada Nova sheep, verify the efficiency of a ranking method used in these tests and identify the most significant traits for use in future analyses. Data from 150 young rams participating in five versions of the performance tests for the Morada Nova breed were used. Twenty traits were measured in each animal: initial weight (IW), final weight (FW), average daily weight gain (ADG), loin eye area (LEA), scrotal circumference (SC), fat thickness (FT), conformation (C), precocity (Pc), muscularity (M), breed features (BF), legs (L), withers height (WH), chest width (CW), rump height (RH), rump width (RW), rump length (RL), body length (BL), body depth (BD), heart girth (HG) and body condition scoring (BCS). The Pearson’s correlation coefficients ranged from –0.10 to 0.93, with the highest correlations were between body weight variables and morphometric measurements. The three first principal components explained 72.28% of the total variability among all traits. The variables related to animal size defined the first principal component, whereas those related to visual appraisal and suitability for meat production defined the second and third principal components, respectively. The combination of traits from the principal component analysis showed that the ranking method currently used in the performance testing of Morada Nova sheep is efficient for selecting larger rams with better breed features and higher degrees of specialization for meat production.

Visual body-scores selection and its influence on body size and ultrasound carcass traits in Nellore cattle.

Genetic parameters, genetic trends, and genetic progress of carcass traits were estimated for 12,447 Nellore individuals from different Brazilian herds. The following carcass traits were analyzed: visual body scores of conformation (CONF), precocity (PREC), and muscularity (MUSC); rump width (RW) and rump length (RL), body size (frame); and ultrasound evaluation of ribeye area (REA), backfat thickness (BFT), and rump fat thickness (RFT). Heritability estimates (± SE) for CONF, PREC, and MUSC were 0.23 ± 0.02, 0.33 ± 0.03, and 0.31 ± 0.02, respectively. The heritability estimates (± SE) for RW, RL, and frame were 0.25 ± 0.05, 0.16 ± 0.04, and 0.31 ± 0.03, respectively. Ultrasound of the REA, BFT, and RFT presented mean heritability estimates (± SE) of 0.38 ± 0.03, 0.44 ± 0.04, and 0.47 ± 0.04, respectively. The visual body score of CONF had high genetic correlations with RW, RL, and frame (0.74 ± 0.09, 0.82 ± 0.08, and 0.83 ± 0.04, respectively), indicating a high association of CONF with the measurements related to body structure. The REA had no correlation with BFT and RFT (-0.09 ± 0.04 and -0.03 ± 0.04, respectively) and showed only a moderate genetic correlation with MUSC (0.39 ± 0.05). The BFT and RFT had moderate genetic correlations with PREC (0.36 ± 0.07 and 0.29 ± 0.07, respectively) and no correlation with frame (-0.02 ± 0.03 and 0.05 ± 0.05, respectively), suggesting that selection for frame had no effect on the subcutaneous fat content of the carcass. Low genetic trends and low genetic progress were obtained for REA (0.026 cm, 0.02%), BFT (0.0031 mm, 0.05%), and RFT (0.0013 mm, 0.02%), with no significant values of genetic progress detected throughout the studied period. The CONF, PREC, and MUSC presented high genetic trends (0.030 points, 0.030 points, and 0.029 points, respectively) and high genetic progress (0.60%, 0.56%, and 0.59%, respectively), indicating a significant genetic progress for these traits throughout the evaluated period. Carcass traits evaluated by ultrasound and visual body scores are eligible for selection and can be used in genetic improvement programs in Nellore cattle; however, visual body score selection for carcass traits can result in slower genetic progress for carcass quality when compared to selection performed by ultrasound.

Effects of different initial weights on fattening performance, slaughter and carcass characteristics of Holstein Friesian and Brown Swiss young bulls

A total of 27 young bulls [13 Brown Swiss (BS) and 14 Holstein Friesian (HF)] were fed to investigate the effects of initial fattening weights [light weight group (LG= 176.0± 3.5 kg) and heavy weight group (HG= 213.8±3.7 kg)] on the performance, slaughter and carcass traits. With increasing initial fattening weight, final weight (P the initial fattening weights in favour of bulls in HG. Average SEUROP conformation score of HG carcasses was one class better than that of LG carcasses. It was concluded that young bulls in HG had better slaughter characteristics, carcass measurements and percentage of kidney, pelvic and heart fat than these in LG, while performance and feed efficiency ratio of the animals in the different weight groups were not statistically different.

Особенности экстерьера и показатели роста молочного крупного рогатого скота черно-пестрой и джерсейской пород

Живая масса является основным показателем онтогенеза, характеризующего рост и развитие животного. В молочном скотоводстве остро стоит проблема выращивания кондиционного ремонтного молодняка, отвечающего современным технологическим требованиям эксплуатации с учетом породы и зоны разведения. В работе изучены основные показатели роста и развития двух молочных пород — черно-пестрой и джерсейской — в условиях Московской области. Из основного стада животных выбирали и создавали две контрольные группы, затем сравнивали результаты с данными по всему поголовью. Выявлено, что при рождении живая масса была выше у черно-пестрых телят на 12,7 кг (42,2 %), а также во все периоды созревания и роста. Абсолютный прирост также был выше у черно-пестрого скота, и он оказался более массивным. На основании среднесуточных приростов молодняк джерсейского молочного скота в среднем растет так же интенсивно, как и черно-пестрый скот. У джерсейской породы выражена саблистость, а у черно-пестрой -слоновость задних конечностей. Изменчивость этого показателя невысокая (не более 10 %), и совокупность признаков однородная. У коров джерсейской породы таз излишне наклонен (Cv = 13 %), а у черно-пестрой — приподнят (Cv = 17 %). В итоге, молочный скот обеих пород имеет высокий балл за экстерьер, но контрольные животные джерсейской породы являются более высококлассными, чем черно-пестрый молочный скот. По результатам эти изучаемые породы имеют существенные породные признаки развития и показатели экстерьера. Черно-пестрый и джерсейский молочный скот приспособлен к современной технологии выращивания и эксплуатации.

Effect of floor type on hoof lesions, dirt scores, immune response and production of beef bulls

The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of old and new concrete slats (CS) with or without rubber mats (RM) on animal performance, hoof health, dirt scores and health status of finishing bulls. Continental crossbred beef bulls (n=72; mean initial live weight=441 (s.d. 45.1) kg) were blocked by breed and live weight and randomly assigned by block to one of four treatments; (1) Old CS (2) New CS, (3) Old CS covered with RM, (4) New CS covered with RM. Each treatment had 3 pens of 6 bulls at a space allowance of 2.9m2 per animal. Bulls were fed a total mixed ration (TMR) of silage and rolled barley on a 54:46 dry matter (DM) basis for 148 days. Feed was weighed into each pen daily and refusals were weighed twice weekly. Bulls were weighed every three weeks to coincide with dirt scoring. Total leucocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte, eosinophil, monocyte, basophil and red blood cell number and haemoglobin concentrations were measured on day 0 and day 148. Bull's hooves were inspected for the presence of lesions at the start of the study and again at slaughter. After slaughter, carcass weight, carcass gain, conformation and fat score, kidney and channel fat and hide weight were recorded. Bulls on RM had a greater average daily gain (ADG) (0.16kg/day) (P<0.01), kidney and channel fat weight (KCF) (P<0.05), hide weight (P<0.01) and a better feed conversion ratio (FCR) (P<0.05) than those on CS. Floor type had no effect on dry matter intake (DMI), slaughter weight, carcass weight, kill out percentage, conformation score or fat score. Bulls on RM had 44% more hoof lesions (P<0.01) than those on CS. There were slat×time (P<0.05) and mat×time (P<0.01) interactions for dirt scores. Bulls on slats were dirtier than those on mats on days 63, 84 and 126 (P<0.01) while bulls on new slats were dirtier than those on old slats on days 21 (P<0.01) and 42 (P<0.05). Floor type had no effect (P>0.05) on any of the haematological variables measured which suggests that the immunological status of the bulls was not affected by treatment. While there was no evidence of lameness in bulls on RM, the increased number of hoof lesions suggests that hoof health may be compromised in bulls housed on RM.

Structure-Based Prediction of G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Ligand Function: A β-Adrenoceptor Case Study.

The spectacular advances in G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) structure determination have opened up new possibilities for structure-based GPCR ligand discovery. The structure-based prediction of whether a ligand stimulates (full/partial agonist), blocks (antagonist), or reduces (inverse agonist) GPCR signaling activity is, however, still challenging. A total of 31 β1 (β1R) and β2 (β2R) adrenoceptor crystal structures, including antagonist, inverse agonist, and partial/full agonist-bound structures, allowed us to explore the possibilities and limitations of structure-based prediction of GPCR ligand function. We used all unique protein-ligand interaction fingerprints (IFPs) derived from all ligand-bound β-adrenergic crystal structure monomers to post-process the docking poses of known β1R/β2R partial/full agonists, antagonists/inverse agonists, and physicochemically similar decoys in each of the β1R/β2R structures. The systematic analysis of these 1920 unique IFP-structure combinations offered new insights into the relative impact of protein conformation and IFP scoring on selective virtual screening (VS) for ligands with a specific functional effect. Our studies show that ligands with the same function can be efficiently classified on the basis of their protein-ligand interaction profile. Small differences between the receptor conformation (used for docking) and reference IFP (used for scoring of the docking poses) determine, however, the enrichment of specific ligand types in VS hit lists. Interestingly, the selective enrichment of partial/full agonists can be achieved by using agonist IFPs to post-process docking poses in agonist-bound as well as antagonist-bound structures. We have identified optimal structure-IFP combinations for the identification and discrimination of antagonists/inverse agonist and partial/full agonists, and defined a predicted IFP for the small full agonist norepinephrine that gave the highest retrieval rate of agonists over antagonists for all structures (with an enrichment factor of 46 for agonists and 8 for antagonists on average at a 1% false-positive rate). This β-adrenoceptor case study provides new insights into the opportunities for selective structure-based discovery of GPCR ligands with a desired function and emphasizes the importance of IFPs in scoring docking poses.

Porovnání masné užitkovosti býků montbéliardského a českého strakatého plemene vykrmovaných do živé hmotnosti 680 kg

Czech Pied bulls (C, n=18) and Montbeliarde bulls (M, n=18) were fattened up to the live weight of 680 kg in identical conditions with the aim to compare their meat performance. Mean values of the observed meat performance characteristics were as follows: slaughter weight 682.1 kg, age at slaughter 593.8 days, daily weight gain 1.088 kg, carcass weight 378.2 kg, net weight gain 0.640 kg, dressing percentage 55.4%, weight of hide 59.3 kg, weight of head and tongue 20.6 kg, weight and proportion of kidney fat 14.9 kg and 2.18%, carcass conformation score 3.06, carcass fatness score 2.20 and weight of the right side of carcass 185.9 kg. The weight and proportion of some parts of the right side of carcass were as follows: forequarter 84.1 kg and 45.2%, hindquarter 101.8 kg and 54.8%, total weight of meat 145.5 kg and 78.2%, bones 35.0 kg and 18.9%, separable fat 3.87 kg and 2.08% and hindquarter to forequarter ratio 1.21. Montbeliarde bulls showed a significantly greater (POur results showed higher growth rate in Montbeliarde bulls; also, their further growth potential was higher than in Czech Pied bulls. The rest of the observed characteristics of meat performance, including carcass composition, were similar in both breeds and were not negatively affected by a high slaughter weight.

Foot and leg conformation traits have a small effect on genomic predictions of claw disorders in Norwegian Red cows

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the predictive correlation of genomic breeding values (GEBV) for claw disorders increased by including genetically correlated traits as additional information in the analyses. Predictive correlations of GEBV for claw disorders were calculated based on claw disorders only and by analyzing claw disorders together with genetically correlated foot and leg conformation traits. The claw disorders analyzed were corkscrew claw (CSC); infectious claw disorder, including dermatitis, heel horn erosion, and interdigital phlegmon; and laminitis-related claw disorder, including sole ulcer, white line disorder, and hemorrhage of sole and white line. The foot and leg conformation traits included were hoof quality, foot angle, rear leg rear view new, and rear leg rear view old. The data consisted of 183,728 daughters with claw health records and 421,319 daughters with foot and leg conformation scores. A 25K/54K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data set containing 48,249 SNP was available for the analyses. The number of genotyped sires with daughter information in the analyses was 1,093 including claw disorders and 3,111 including claw disorders and foot and leg conformation traits. Predictive correlations of GEBV for CSC, infectious claw disorder, and laminitis-related claw disorder were calculated from a 10-fold cross-validation and from an additional validation set including the youngest sires. Only sires having daughters with claw health records were in the validation sets, thus increasing the reference population when adding foot and leg conformation traits. The results showed marginal improvement in the predictive correlation of GEBV for CSC when including hoof quality and foot angle, both in 10-fold cross-validation (from 0.35 to 0.37) and in the validation including the youngest sires (from 0.38 to 0.49). For infectious claw disorder and laminitis-related claw disorder, including foot and leg conformation traits had no effect on the predictive correlation of GEBV. Claw disorders are novel traits with a limited amount of historical data and, therefore, a small reference population. Increasing the reference population by including sires with daughter information on foot and leg conformation traits had small effect on the predictive correlation of GEBV. However, the small increase in predictive correlation of GEBV for CSC shows a possible gain when including moderate to high genetically correlated traits.

Genetic correlations between type traits of young Polish Holstein-Friesian bulls and their daughters

The objective of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of young bulls' conformation scores in a national type evaluation system. For this purpose the genetic correlations between conformation traits of sires and the same type traits of their daughters were estimated. Young bulls were evaluated as required for registration in the herd book and for entering progeny testing. Data were 7 linearly scored (1-9 scale) and 3 descriptive (scored from 50 to 100) conformation traits of 933 young bulls born between 2005 and 2008, and the same traits evaluated in their 65 479 daughters. A two-trait animal model was used to estimate genetic correlations between the type traits of bulls and their daughters. (Co)variance components were estimated by a Bayesian method via Gibbs sampling. Two linear models were used: the linear model for bulls included fixed linear regressions on age at evaluation, fixed effects of herd and classifier, and random additive genetic effect; the linear model for cows contained fixed effects of herd-year-season-classifier, lactation stage, fixed linear regression on age at calving, and random additive genetic effect. Estimates of bulls' heritabilities for all analyzed traits ranged from 0.07 for feet and legs to 0.25 for body depth. Heritabilities of cows were the lowest for rear legs rear view (0.05) and foot angle (0.06), and the highest for size (0.43). The genetic correlations between similarly described traits of bulls and their daughters were moderate to high (0.42-0.91). The lowest genetic correlation (0.42) was for chest width, and the highest (0.91) for rump angle. The magnitude of genetic correlations between pairs of type traits of sires and daughters was high enough to suggest that the body conformation of dairy cows can be improved by making use of some measurements taken from young bulls. Including highly correlated bull scores for size, rump angle, and three linear leg traits in the evaluation system could improve the accuracy of type breeding value evaluation.

Effect of a screen with flaps and straw on behaviour, stress response, productive performance and meat quality in indoor feedlot lambs

We analysed the effect of a modified pen using a wooden screen with flaps and cereal straw as forage and bedding, on behaviour, stress response, performance and meat quality variables of lambs housed in feedlots. Sixty male lambs were placed in enriched (ESF) or conventional (CO) pens (3pens/treatment, 10lambs/pen). The CO environment was barren. The ESF lambs showed a great preference for the provided items, which encouraged more natural and richer behaviour, reducing stereotypies and lamb aggressions, and increasing affiliations (P≤0.05), which improves group cohesion. However, ESF lambs also developed a more natural coping style to the handling, evidenced by the higher cortisol levels (65.4 vs. 43.8nmol/L) and a higher eye temperature as response to the reactivity test (38.1 vs. 37.8°C). The ESF lambs had a higher (P≤0.05) slaughter weight (27.2 vs. 26.3kg), conformation score (7.38 vs. 6.07) and pH24 (5.63 vs. 5.56) but lower cooking losses (12.9 vs. 14.9%) than CO lambs.

Genetic parameters for lamb carcass traits assessed by video image analysis, EUROP classification and in vivo measurements

The heritability of yield predictions obtained from video image analysis (VIAscan®) of lamb carcasses (n=18,680) and EUROP classes obtained by abattoir assessors (n=26,795) was estimated, as well as the genetic and phenotypic correlations between VIAscan® traits and in vivo lamb traits (n = 9,930), including ultrasonic measurements, visual conformation score and length of the cannon bone. The main objective of the study was to test the equivalence of EUROP classes obtained by VIAscan® and visual scoring as selection criteria in the breeding work. Genetic correlations between EUROP scores from VIAscan® and from abattoir assessors were 0.94 for conformation and 0.82 for fat score. The heritability of conformation score was 0.32 and 0.35 based on VIAscan® and visual scoring, and 0.29 and 0.31 for the fat score, respectively. Yield predictions as proportions of lean meat of carcass weight from VIAscan® were highly heritable, h 2 ranging from 0.39 to 0.63. Lean meat yield (LMY) estimated as lean weight in major cuts had a direct heritability ranging from 0.17 to 0.21, maternal heritability ranging from 0.09 to 0.11 and a common environmental (c 2 ) effect of 0.22-0.23. Lean meat yield of the whole carcass (LMY_%) had the highest genetic correlation to visual leg score (0.44) while correlations between lean yield of three carcass parts (LegY_%, LoinY_% and ShoulderY_%) and in vivo measurements were low to moderately high and favourable except for loin yield. The EUROP scores obtained by both methods had similar genetic and phenotypic correlations to in vivo traits where conformation scores were highly correlated to visual scores for legs and shoulders and ultrasonic muscle measurements and fat scores were positively correlated to ultrasonic fat measurements and shoulder scores. It is concluded that VIAscan® can be used as a grading tool for the Icelandic sheep industry and measurements of carcass traits obtained from the system would be useful in the national sheep breeding program.

Body condition score of Nellore beef cows: a heritable measure to improve the selection of reproductive and maternal traits

Despite the economic importance of beef cattle production in Brazil, female reproductive performance, which is strongly associated with production efficiency, is not included in the selection index of most breeding programmes due to low heritability and difficulty in measure. The body condition score (BCS) could be used as an indicator of these traits. However, so far little is known about the feasibility of using BCS as a selection tool for reproductive performance in beef cattle. In this study, we investigated the sources of variation in the BCS of Nellore beef cows, quantified its association with reproductive and maternal traits and estimated its heritability. BCS was analysed using a logistic model that included the following effects: contemporary group at weaning, cow weight and hip height, calving order, reconception together with the weight and scores of conformation and early finishing assigned to calves at weaning. In the genetic analysis, variance components of BCS were estimated through Bayesian inference by fitting an animal model that also included the aforementioned effects. The results showed that BCS was significantly associated with all of the reproductive and maternal variables analysed. The estimated posterior mean of heritability of BCS was 0.24 (highest posterior density interval at 95%: 0.093 to 0.385), indicating an involvement of additive gene action in its determination. The present findings show that BCS can be used as a selection criterion for Nellore females.

Effects of weight and age on carcass yield and conformation of cattle

The aim of this research was to analyse effects of weight and age of dairy cattle breeds and their crossbreeds (423 bulls, 492 heifers and 567 cows) on carcass yield and conformation scores according SEUROP standard data. All animals were divided into groups according to pre-slaughter weight (50 kg interval) and according to age (2 months interval). For research, average ages of the animals were: bulls 19 months, heifers 20 months and cows 38 months. The highest average weight was determined in cows 521.2 kg, followed by heifers 461.7 kg and the least got bulls 456.2 kg however, on the average carcass yield bulls got the highest value of 51.3 percent, 50.1 percent of heifers and the least 47.8 percent of cows. When animals pre-slaughter weight an average increase of 50 kg, the carcass yield of bulls on average increased by 11.1 percent, of heifers - 0.72 and cows - 0.94 percent. In all studied groups of animals were obtained weak correlation links between age of animal and carcass yield. The strongest correlation links were obtained between the animal's weight and carcass weight of bulls (r = 0.93, p &lt;0.001), heifers (r = 0.94, p &lt;0.001) and cows groups (r = 0.91, p &lt;0.01). It was revealed that, if age of cattle moderately increases for 2 months, then there was a moderate increase on carcass yield such as 0.21 percent in heifers (p &lt;0.05) and 0.12 percent in cows groups (p &lt;0.05). This relationship was not statistically significant in the bulls group. Mostly, the O muscularity class of carcasses were evaluated in all analysed animals groups, both depending from pre-slaughter weight and age. In the group of bulls evaluated O muscularity class carcasses were found moderate (76.8 percent), heifers (74.3 percent) and in group of cows (49.7 percent). However, a trend was observed that with animal's weight and age improved carcass yield and arise carcass muscularity class.

Comparative study of fattening and slaughter traits of male Simmental breed and crosses with Charolais breed

The objective of this study was to determine the slaughter traits, conformation score and fat covering of carcass and composition of carcasses of young cattle of two genotype groups: domestic Simmental breed (A) and its crosses with Charolais breed (B). The sample included a total of 30 animals, 15 in each group. Both groups were slaughtered at final weight of about 660 kg. After the slaughtering, warm carcass sides with and without kidney fat were weighed individually. After cooling, the left carcass sides were cut into main parts according to the Rulebook ("Off. Gazette of SFRY", No. 34/74, 26/75, 13/78 - Rulebook, 1/81 - Rulebook and 2/85 - Rulebook). The results of research show that the young cattle of group (B) achieved a statistically significant (p&lt;0.05) higher yield of warm carcass compared to group A, and statistically highly significant (p &lt;0.01) higher yield of warm carcass without tallow/fat. A statistically significant difference was found in the share of tongues (p?0.01), which was higher in young cattle of group (B) and a statistically significant difference in the share of offal (p &lt;0.01), which was higher in group (A). Shares of tenderloin and the shoulder of young cattle of group (B) were statistically significantly (p &lt;0.05) higher than in young cattle of group (A). A statistically significant difference was determined in carcass conformation scores between groups of young cattle.

The use of novel phenotyping methods for validation of equine conformation scoring results

In this experiment, which is based on a cohort of 44 Lipizzan mares from the Austrian state stud farm of Piber, we present new statistical techniques for the analysis of shape and equine conformation using image data. In addition, we examined which strategies and procedures of image processing techniques led to a successful interpretation of the traits implemented in horse breeding programs. A total of 246 two-dimensional anatomical and somatometric landmarks were digitized from standardized photographs, and the variation of shape has been analyzed by the use of generalized orthogonal least-squares Procrustes (generalized Procrustes analysis (GPA)) procedures. The resulting shape variables have been regressed on the results from linear type trait classifications. In addition, the rating scores of six conformation classifiers were tested for agreement, yielding an inter-rater correlation (inter-class correlation) ranging from 0.41 to 0.68, respectively, a κ coefficient ranging from 0.16 to 0.53. From the 12 linear type traits assessed on a valuating scale, only the type-related traits (type, breed-type and harmony) revealed significant (P<0.05) results in the regression analysis of shape variables on linear type traits. The other nine traits were characterized by a lower agreement between classifiers and did not result in a significant ‘shape regression’. Finally, the ‘horse shape space’ defined by shape variables resulting from GPA procedures offered the possibility to assist in trait definition and in the evaluation of ratings, and it is an adequate biological and objective scale to human perception of conformation, which is expressed in numerical data only.

The development of a model to predict BW gain of growing cattle fed grass silage-based diets

The objective of this meta-analysis was to develop and validate empirical equations predicting BW gain (BWG) and carcass traits of growing cattle from intake and diet composition variables. The modelling was based on treatment mean data from feeding trials in growing cattle, in which the nutrient supply was manipulated by wide ranges of forage and concentrate factors. The final dataset comprised 527 diets in 116 studies. The diets were mainly based on grass silage or grass silage partly or completely replaced by whole-crop silages, hay or straw. The concentrate feeds consisted of cereal grains, fibrous by-products and protein supplements. Mixed model regression analysis with a random study effect was used to develop prediction equations for BWG and carcass traits. The best-fit models included linear and quadratic effects of metabolisable energy (ME) intake per metabolic BW (BW0.75), linear effects of BW0.75, and dietary concentrations of NDF, fat and feed metabolisable protein (MP) as significant variables. Although diet variables had significant effects on BWG, their contribution to improve the model predictions compared with ME intake models was small. Feed MP rather than total MP was included in the final model, since it is less correlated to dietary ME concentration than total MP. None of the quadratic terms of feed variables was significant (P>0.10) when included in the final models. Further, additional feed variables (e.g. silage fermentation products, forage digestibility) did not have significant effects on BWG. For carcass traits, increased ME intake (ME/BW0.75) improved both dressing proportion (P<0.01) and carcass conformation (P<0.001) and increased (P<0.001) carcass fat score. Increased dietary CP concentration had no significant (P>0.10) effect on dressing proportion or carcass conformation score, but it increased (P<0.01) carcass fat score. The current study demonstrated that ME intake per BW0.75 was clearly the most important variable explaining the BWG response in growing cattle. The effect of increased ME supply displayed diminishing responses that could be associated with increased energy concentration of BWG, reduced diet metabolisability (proportion of ME of gross energy) and/or decreased efficiency of ME utilisation for growth with increased intake. Negative effects of increased dietary NDF concentration on BWG were smaller compared to responses that energy evaluation systems predict for energy retention. The present results showed only marginal effects of protein supply on BWG in growing cattle.

Body Conformation in Tharparkar Cattle as a Tool of Selection

For present investigation, Tharparkar cows available at Cattle and Buffalo Farm, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar (U.P.) were used. Body conformation scoring was done as per modified International Committee on Animal Recording (2012). Measurements were taken in centimeter (cm) before morning milking and prior to any feed intake using graduated measuring stick, vernier caliper and flexible meter tape. In Tharparkar cattle, the average score points (ASP, under 1–9 point scale score system) for body conformation traits like stature (5.02: intermediate), chest width (4.71: intermediate), body depth (4.75: intermediate), angularity (5.60: intermediate), rump angle (5.55: intermediate), rump width (4.80: intermediate), rear leg rear view (7.39: parallel), rear leg set (5.27: intermediate), foot angle (7.09: steep), fore udder attachment (6.44: strong), fore teat placement (3.80: intermediate), teat length (4.71: intermediate), udder depth (5.71: intermediate), rear udder height (3.46: intermediate), central ligament (5.27: intermediate), rear teat placement (5.82: intermediate), locomotion (7.20: no abduction), hock development (7.28: dry), bone structure (6.64: fine and thin), rear udder width (5.64: intermediate), teat thickness (2.61: narrow), muscularity (6.00: intermediate), hump size (3.98: intermediate), dewlap size (5.04: intermediate) and naval flap size (3.09: intermediate) were assessed. Most of the body conformation traits in Tharparkar cows were of intermediate nature and of desirable type, moreover, some traits also showed the presence of undesirable ASP, which expressed scope for further improvement. Thus, present investigation gave explicit clue to bring Tharparkar cattle at par with other exotic breeds, if little effort is made to incorporate these conformation traits in selection program.

Effects of supplementary concentrate level and separate or total mixed ration feeding on performance of growing dairy bulls

A randomised complete block design was used to study the effects on animal performance of (1) the increasing level of supplementary concentrate with grass silage (GS), and (2) feeding GS and concentrates separately or as a total mixed ration (TMR). A feeding experiment comprised 32 dairy bulls with average initial live weight of 145 kg. The feeding treatments were: (1) GS (660 g kg-1 dry matter intake) plus medium level of rolled barley (330) offered separately, (2) GS (660) plus medium level of rolled barley (330) offered as TMR, (3) GS (330) plus high level of rolled barley (660) offered separately, and (4) GS (330) plus high level of rolled barley (660) offered as TMR. During the experiment (398 days) the bulls were fed ad libitum either GS or TMR. The increasing concentrate level increased energy intake, carcass gain and dressing proportion of the bulls but had no effects on carcass conformation or fat score. TMR feeding had no effects on carcass gain, dressing proportion, carcass conformation or fat score but increased dry matter and energy intake compared to the separate feeding.