Paternal Half-sib Correlation Method Research Articles

Estimation of genetic parameters as well as trends for growth traits in Harnali sheep

The current study focussed on the growth traits pertaining to Harnali sheep maintained at Sheep Farm, LUVAS, Hisar and data were recorded from pedigree sheets of 1278 animals. Growth traits considered were birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), six-month weight (6MW), yearling weight (YW), and pre-weaning average daily gain (PRWDG) and least-squares means for corresponding traits found to be 3.28±0.02 kg, 12.89±0.07 kg, 17.06±0.06 kg, 24.36±0.06 kg, and 106.74±0.61 g, respectively. Effect of different factors like period of birth, sex of animal and dams’ weight at lambing was studied on growth traits. Except YW, significant effect of period of birth was observed on all the growth traits. Sex had significant influence on BW only however, dams’ weight at lambing affected significantly all the considered growth traits except YW. By leveraging the sire component of variance and covariance from mixed model analysis, the paternal half-sib correlation method was used to estimate genetic as well as phenotypic parameters. Estimates of heritability for BW, WW, 6MW, YW and PRWDG were 0.28±0.07, 0.33±0.07, 0.31±0.07, 0.12±0.04 and 0.27±0.06, respectively. Genetic as well as phenotypic trends for WW and PRWDG were found to be positive. Moderate range of genetic variability at weaning weight and its positive genetic and phenotypic correlations with growth traits specially six month’s weight indicated that genetic improvement could be possible through early selection at weaning weight in Harnali sheep.

A Predicted Genetic Parameter for Body Weight and Body Size at Yearling Age of Male Bali cattle

This research aimed to predicted the genetic parameter for body weight and body size, including body height, body length, and chest girth at yearling age of male Bali cattle in BPTU-HPT Denpasar, Bali. The materials used were 79 heads of male Bali at yearling age. The variables observed were body weight (BW), body height (BH), body length (BL), and chest girth (CG) recorded from 2016 to 2018. The body weight and body size data were analyzed to find out the mean, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation. Variance and co variance component were analyzed using Analyses of Variance and Covariance one way lay out un balanced design. The heritability and genetic correlation were calculated using the paternal half-sib correlation method. Results showed that the average of body weight, body height, body length, and chest girth were 129.72±13.73 kg, 102.91±4.27 cm, 94.32±5.54 cm, and 121.91±8.47 cm, respectively. The value of heritability estimation for body weight, body height, body length, and chest girth were 0.50±0.08, 0.46±0.07, 0.44±0.07, and 0.10±0.02, respectively. The genetic correlation between BW-BH, BW-BL, and BW-CG were categorized as moderate to a high value (0.67, 0.98, and 0.35, respectively). Breeding value for body weight and body height were both 50% positive value, and breeding value for body length and chest girth were 40% and 60% positive value, respectively. The rank correlation coefficient between rank based on BW-BH, BW-BL, and BW-CG were 0.31, 0.61, and -0.01, respectively. Based on the heritability value, genetic correlation, and rank correlation coefficient, body length could be used as selection criteria, which would give a response to improve body weight.

Estimasi Nilai Heritabilitas Lingkar Dada dan Panjang Badan pada Kambing Peranakan Etawah di BPTU dan HPT Pelaihari Kalimantan Selatan

Evaluation in standardization really needs to be carried out, including whether the livestock is in accordance with the SNI vital statistics standard (Indonesian national standard). The purpose of the study was to estimate heritability and breeding values of body weight and vital statistics in Etawah Grade (PE) goats in BPTU and HPT Pelaihari Kalimantan Selatan. The material used were the performance records of 220 PE goats, offsprings of 35 males and 71 females. The variables measured were body length and chest girth at birth, weaning, and 1 year of age. Variance componenet were analyzed using variance analysisrade. Heritability was estimated using the paternal half-sib correlation method by applying SPSS software. Breeding value was estimated using the progeny test model. The highest breeding value on body length at birth, at weaning age and at 1 year of age were sire 3315 KK, sire 4093 OK, and sire 4007 OK, respectively. The highest breeding Value on chest girth at birth, weaning age and 1 year of age were sire 3983 HH, 3315 HH, and 3971 HH. The conclusion of this study were the heritability for body weight were categorized high and for statistic vital were varied from medium to high value.

Genetic parameter estimation for growth traits in males of Karan fries cattle

The significance of sire selection in the herd is reflected by the total genetic gain through sire-to-sire and sireto- dam pathways contributing greater than 50% contribution. The present investigation was carried out to estimate genetic parameters of males of Tharparkar (TP) and Karan-Fries (KF) cattle. Data on body weights of Tharparkar and Karan Fries males born during the period 199-2012 at ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute (ICAR-NDRI), Karnal, India were utilized in the present study. The genetic and phenotypic correlations among different body weights were estimated from the analysis of variance and covariance among sire groups. Paternal half-sib correlation method was used to estimate heritability of growth traits. Heritability estimates in KF were found to be of moderate to high magnitude, as 0.23±0.06, 0.43±0.10, 0.28±0.10, 0.36±0.11, 0.39±0.12, 0.38±0.14, 0.27±0.19 for weight at birth and weight at monthly interval up to six months, respectively. Genetic and phenotypic correlations were found to vary from moderate to high among the traits. Our study revealed that the magnitude of heritability indicates a high scope of further improvement in Karan Fries. Selective breeding and positive genetic correlations should be considered while designing selection programs.

Genetic Analysis of First Lactation Monthly Test Day Milk Yields, Peak Yield and 305 Days Milk Yield in Murrah Buffaloes

Background: The estimates of genetic parameters are useful in determining the appropriate method of selection that could further be implemented in the breed improvement programmes. The present study was, therefore, conducted to estimate the genetic parameters (heritability, genetic and phenotypic correlations) for monthly test day (TD) milk yields, peak yield (PY) and first lactation 305 days milk yield (FL305DMY) in Murrah buffaloes.Methods: Paternal half-sib correlation method was carried out by least-squares maximum likelihood programme to estimate genetic parameters of first lactation 4,209 and 408 records of monthly test day milk yield and peak yield, respectively, of 408 Murrah buffaloes (sired by 62 bulls) calved in between 1993 and 2017 at ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal.Result: Heritability of FL305DMY and peak yield was estimated as 0.35±0.17 and 0.33±0.16, respectively. Heritability estimates for mid-lactation monthly test day milk yields were found to be moderate. Genetic correlation of monthly test day milk yields with FL305DMY was positive and highly significant for TD-4 to TD-9 and TD-11. Peak yield showed high genetic and phenotypic association with FL305DMY. High genetic and phenotypic correlation among monthly test day milk yields, peak yield and FL305DMY suggested that TD-4 to TD-9 and TD-11 test day milk yields and peak yield could be used for the selection of elite animals.

Estimation of genetic parameters for production and reproduction traits in Kashmir Merino sheep

Data pertaining to 6,300 birth records spread over 21 years of Kashmir Merino sheep maintained at Government Sheep Breeding Farm Kralapathri and Government Sheep Breeding Farm Goabal Kashmir and Fleece Testing Laboratory were used to estimate the genetic parameters. The genetic parameters for birth weight (BWT), 6 months body weight (6-MWT), yearling body weight (12 MWT), greasy fleece yield of first clip (GFY-1), greasy fleece yield of second clip (GFY-2), fiber diameter (FD), staple length (SL), age at first lambing (AFL) and inter-lambing period (ILP) were estimated by paternal half-sib correlation method using sire components of variance and covariance. The heritability estimates for BWT, 6-MWT, 12-MWT, SL, GFY-1, GFY-2 were moderately high whereas the estimates of heritability for FD, SL, AFL and ILP were low respectively. The genetic correlation between different traits ranged from - 0.73±0.10 to 0.87±0.04 while as phenotypic correlation different traits ranged from - 0.66±0.07 to 0.54±0.01. Keeping in view its high heritability of SMW and favorable correlations with birth weight, yearling body weight, wool traits and age at first lambing, it is concluded that selection on basis of 6-MWT would be effective to improve growth, quality wool production and age at first lambing in Kashmir Merino sheep.

Genetic analysis of first lactation test day traits in Sahiwal cattle

Records on first lactation test day traits pertaining to Sahiwal cattle maintained at ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute over a period of 29 years (1988-2016) were utilized in this study. Test day traits, viz. test day milk yields (TDMY), test day fat yields (TDFY) and test day solid not fat yields (TDSNFY) were recorded at monthly intervals and a total of 11 test days were included up to 305 days lactation. Effect of different genetic and non-genetic factors on test day traits was assessed using least-squares mixed model. Random effect of sire and fixed effect of period of calving as well as season of calving had significant effect on different test day traits, however, age group at first calving had no significant effect in the present study. Paternal half-sib correlation method was used to estimate the heritability of different test day traits. Heritability estimates as observed for different test day traits varied from low to high. Heritability for test day milk yields, test day fat yields and test day SNF yields ranged from 0.06 (TDMY8) to 0.40(TDMY2), 0.09 (TDFY11) to 0.62 (TDFY10) and 0.06 (TDSNFY5) to 0.44 (TDSNFY2), respectively. Highest heritability of test day milk yield and test day solid not fat yield in second test day suggested that this test day could be used as early selection criteria for these two traits.

Estimating Genetic Parameter of Saanen Goat Production Characteristics Using Paternal Half Sib Correlation

This research was aimed to investigate heritability score (h2) of milk yield, kid birth weight, and milk quality that included density, fat content, protein, lactose, water and non-fat dry matter of Saanen goat according to the production record of first-lactating individual in the Centre of Pedigree Breeding and Cattle Forage Baturraden. The materials for this research were 180 Saanen does with a first-lactating record. The estimated genetic parameter was heritability score using a paternal half-sib correlation method. Result showed that the heritability of milk yield, kid birth weight, density, fat content, protein, lactose, water and NFDM was 0,32+0,23; 0,25+0,26; 0,15+0,17; 0,11+0,16; 0,12+0,16; 0,10+0,14; 0,10+0,16 and 0,11+0,16, respectively. A high h2 was obtained from heritability score of milk yield, and a moderate h2 was from kid birth weight and milk quality. In conclusion, the h2 score of milk yield of Saanen goats was relatively high, while the h2 score of kid birth weight and milk quality was relatively moderate.

Genetic parameters of egg production trait in Alabio and Mojosari ducks under selection

Genetic parameters for egg production traits in Alabio and Mojosari ducks were estimated. Egg production data were collected from 530 Alabio and 461 Mojosari ducks. The ducks were 6th generation of selection program for egg production trait at the BPTU-HPT Pelaihari. Heritability values were estimated using paternal half-sib correlation method in a one-way analysis of variance. The result showed that heritability estimates for body weight at 16 weeks of age were high, in Alabio ducks (0.63±0.242) and in Mojosari duck (0.88±0.269). Heritability for body weight at first egg was 0.55±0.23 in Alabio duck and 0.44±0.222 in Mojosari duck. The heritability estimates for number of eggs from months 1-3 (EN3) and 1-6 (EN6), ranging from 0.30 to 0.46. The heritability for number of eggs from months 1-12 (EN12) was high in Alabio duck (0.62) and moderate in Mojosari duck (0.46). The EN12 had high genetic correlation with EN3 and EN6 (ranging from 0.80 to 0.99). EN12 had a negative genetic correlation with body weight and age at first egg (between -0.81 and -0.21). This finding indicates that EN3 could be used as a selection criteria to increase EN12 in Alabio and Mojosari ducks.

Genetic analysis of trends in production and reproduction traits over years using regression methods in Sahiwal cows

The present study was conducted on first lactation performance records of 820 Sahiwal cows maintained at NDRI, Karnal spread over 54 years (1962–2015) to study the effect of genetic and non-genetic factors on production and reproduction traits, to estimate genetic parameters and the genetic trends by different methods. The traits considered were age at first calving (AFC), first lactation 305 days milk yield (FL305DMY), first lactation total milk yield (FLTMY), first lactation length (FLL) and first calving interval (FCI). The effect of genetic and non–genetic factors like sire, month of birth/calving, period of birth/calving, AFC group and first service period group on normalized production and reproduction traits was assessed by GLM function of Statistical Analysis System (SAS Institute Inc., version 9.2). Paternal half sib correlation method was used to estimate the heritability of different characters. Phenotypic trend per year was estimated as the linear regression of the phenotypic value (P) on time (year).The genetic trend were estimated by Smith I, Smith II, BLUP (Sire Model), BLUP Animal Model methods respectively. The effect of sire was significant for all traits except calving interval. Effect of month was significant for all the traits except for FLTMY. Effect of period was significant for all the traits except FCI. Effect of AFC group was not significant on FCI. The heritability estimates of AFC, FL305DMY, FLTMY, and FLL were 0.45±0.14, 0.18±0.11, 0.19±0.10, 0.16±0.09, respectively. The repeatability estimate for FL305DMY was 0.45±0.17. The phenotypic trend of FL305DMY, FLTMY, FLL, AFC and FCI was –19.85±2.17 kg, –26.06±2.4 kg, –3.22±0.26 days, –0.05±0.31days and 0.041±0.47 days respectively per year and were statistically significant. Genetic trends were positive, significant and in desirable direction in production traits. Regression methods used for the estimation of genetic trends BLUP (Sire Model), BLUP Animal Model are superior to traditional methods because of small standard error. Low magnitude of genetic trend and unfavorable environmental trends indicated the need to increase herd size and improvement in managemental practices. Thus, dairy genetic improvement programmes needed to be redesign appropriate strategies that would be more beneficial to the currently changing scenarios.

Estimation of genetic parameters for production traits in Munjal sheep

Astudy was carried out to estimate the genetic parameters of production traits in Munjal sheep using 16 years (2001–2016) data of 462 sheep maintained at Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar Mixed model analysis included the sire as a random effect and effects of period of birth, sex, dam's age at lambing as fixed effects. Heritability estimates and genetic correlations for different traits were calculated by paternal half-sib correlation method using sire components of variance and covariance. Period of birth and sex of lamb had significant effect (P<0.05) on all traits except greasy fleece weight (GFW). Dam's age at lambing had significant (P<0.05) effect only on birth weight. The overall least squares means of production traits recorded for birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), six months body weight (SMW), yearling body weight (YBW) and annual GFW were 4.1±0.07, 15.57±0.22, 20.79±0.53, 26.40±0.41 and 1.84±0.04 kg, respectively and the corresponding heritability estimates were 0.35±0.18, 0.48±0.20, 0.57±0.24, 0.48±0.25 and 0.52±0.22, respectively. Genetic correlations among production traits were positive and low to high in magnitude (0.10±0.05 to 0.76±0.05) and the highest genetic correlation of 0.76±0.05 was found between SMW and YBW. Phenotypic correlations among various production traits were found to be positive and significant ranging from 0.17±0.04 to 0.81±0.03. It was concluded that selection on the basis of SMW would be the best approach to improve growth performance in Munjal sheep as the trait has high heritability and positive genetic correlation with other body weights.

Estimation of Genetic Parameters for Reproduction Traits in Munjal Sheep

Estimates of genetic parameters are important to determine the selection criterion and future breeding strategies. Munjal is one of the heaviest breed of sheep and is popular among farmers for faster growth rate and efficient reproduction. The data of reproduction traits of 287 Munjal sheep maintained at Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar for 16 years (2001-2016) were utilized to estimate the genetic parameters. The mixed linear model used for analysis included the sire as a random effect and period of birth and dam’s age at lambing as fixed effects. Heritability and genetic correlations for different traits were estimated by paternal half-sib correlation method using sire components of variance and covariance. All the reproduction traits under study viz., Age at first service (AFS), weight at first service (WFS), age at first lambing (AFL), weight at first lambing (WFL) and first lambing interval (FLI) were significantly affected by period of birth. However, effect of dam’s age at lambing was non-significant on all traits. The overall least squares mean for AFS, WFS, AFL, WFL and FLI were estimated as 563.08±14.43days, 29.06±0.16 kg, 713.48±14.02 days, 31.30±0.16 kg and 351.82±1.12 days, respectively. Heritability estimates for AFS, WFS, AFL, WFL and FLI were obtained 0.19±0.12, 0.24±0.15, 0.17±0.10, 0.27±0.15 and 0.05±0.01, respectively. The genetic correlation of AFS with AFL (0.96±0.01) and WFS with WFL (0.94±0.03) was high and positive indicating that ewes in good body condition at service maintaining it after lambing. Low estimates of heritability for reproduction traits indicated that these traits have low additive genetic variance and mostly influenced by environment. So, these traits can be improved by better managemental practices.

Heritability of Growth Traits of Simmental Cattle in Balai Pembibitan Ternak Unggul-Hijauan Pakan Ternak (BPTU-HPT), Padang Mengatas, West Sumatra, Indonesia

This study is proposed to determine the heritability of growth traits of Simmental cattle in BPTU-HPT Padang Mengatas, West Sumatra. Data were collected by observations and measurements of the cattle in the field, completed by the secondary data from BPTU-HPT recorded from 2010 to 2016. Data for heritability were collected from 455 offsprings belonged to 15 sires. Weight and body size are two parameters used to estimate the heritability and breeding value, the heritability was analyzed between weaning and yearling age and breeding value was only calculated for weaning age. The data were analyzed by using paternal half-sib correlation method. The heritability between bulls and offspring was varied in weaning age, ranged from 0.24 to 0.97, and yearling age was showed high heritability in all parameters, ranged from 0.56 to 0.64. The heritability of weaning weight was 0.50 ± 0.19, weaning body size (shoulder height, body length and heart girth) was 0.97 ± 0.31; 0.24 ± 0.13; 0.44 ± 0.19, yearling weight was 0.56 ± 0.08 and yearling body size was 0.58 ± 0.08; 0.64 ± 0.09 and 0.56 ± 0.08 respectively. This result found that the highest heritability was shoulder height and the lowest heritability was body length. Relative breeding value above 0 represented by six sires with the highest breeding value was 37.12. Sires with the highest BV can be selected for future breeding in BPTU-HPT Padang Mengatas, while the lowest BV is recommended to be culled.

Genetic and Non-Genetic Parameters of First Lactation Milk Yield, Composition and Energy Traits in Karan-Fries Cattle

Records of 1471 Karan-Fries cows from 102 sires with five or more daughters per sire during the period 1989–2013 were used to study genetic and non-genetic parameters for First lactation 305-days or less milk yield (FL305MY-kg), First lactation 305 days or less wet average (FL305WA-kg), Average test day milk yield (ATDMY-kg), Average test day fat percentage (ATDFP-%), Average test day fat yield (ATDFY-g), Fat based energy per kg (FBE/kg-cal) and Fat based energy per first lactation 305 days or less milk yield (FBE/FL305MY-kcal). The non-genetic parameters were analysed by fixed linear model. Heritability and phenotypic/genetic correlations were estimated by paternal half sib correlation method and sire variance and covariance, respectively. Period of calving was significant for all the traits. Season had significant effect on all the traits except ATDFP and FBE. Age group was significant for ATDFP only. The FBE/FL305MY had positive and significant (P<0.01) genetic and phenotypic correlations with FL305MY, FL305WA, ATDMY and ATDFY. The positive phenotypic correlation of ATDFP and FBE/kg with composition and energy traits revealed selection for an increased fat percentage will improve the concentrations of other constituents in milk. Higher estimates of heritability, significant genetic and phenotypic correlation between FL305MY and FBE/FL305MY revealed that any of the two traits can be used for genetic evaluation of Karan-Fries bulls when genetic improvement is sought.

Effect of genetic and non-genetic factors on milk yield and milkcomposition traits in Murrah buffaloes

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of genetic and non-genetic factors and to estimate genetic parameters of first lactation 305 days milk yield (FLMY305), 305 days fat yield (LFY), 305 days solid not fat yield (LSNFY), 305 days total solid yield (LTSY), 305 days fat percentage (FAT%), 305 days solid not fat percentage (SNF%) and 305 days total solid percentage (TS%) in Murrah buffaloes. The data of 315 Murrah buffaloes calved from 1993 to 2013 and sired by 47 bulls maintained in an organized farm at ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal was analyzed to study the effect of genetic and non-genetic factors. Least squares analysis was done to estimate the effect of genetic and non-genetic factors on FLMY305, LFY, LSNFY, LTSY, FAT%, SNF% and TS%. Heritability estimates were obtained by using paternal half-sib correlation method. The heritability estimates for FLMY305, LFY, LSNFY, LTSY, FAT%, SNF% and TS% traits were found to be 0.30, 0.29, 0.30, 0.30, 0.05, 0.02 and 0.06, respectively. Very high and positive genetic and phenotypic correlations of FLMY305 with milk constituents’ yield traits implied that selection based on FLMY305 would result in correlated response in milk constituents yield traits and therefore need not to be considered separately for their improvement.

Estimates of genetic parameters for fat yield in Murrah buffaloes.

Aim:The present study was performed to investigate the effect of genetic and non-genetic factors affecting milk fat yield and to estimate genetic parameters of monthly test day fat yields (MTDFY) and lactation 305-day fat yield (L305FY) in Murrah buffaloes.Materials and Methods:The data on total of 10381 MTDFY records comprising the first four lactations of 470 Murrah buffaloes calved from 1993 to 2014 were assessed. These buffaloes were sired by 75 bulls maintained in an organized farm at ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal. Least squares maximum likelihood program was used to estimate genetic and non-genetic parameters. Heritability estimates were obtained using paternal half-sib correlation method. Genetic and phenotypic correlations among MTDFY, and 305-day fat yield were calculated from the analysis of variance and covariance matrix among sire groups.Results:The overall least squares mean of L305FY was found to be 175.74±4.12 kg. The least squares mean of overall MTDFY ranged from 3.33±0.14 kg (TD-11) to 7.06±0.17 kg (TD-3). The h2 estimate of L305FY was found to be 0.33±0.16 in this study. The estimates of phenotypic and genetic correlations between 305-day fat yield and different MTDFY ranged from 0.32 to 0.48 and 0.51 to 0.99, respectively.Conclusions:In this study, all the genetic and non-genetic factors except age at the first calving group, significantly affected the traits under study. The estimates of phenotypic and genetic correlations of MTDFY with 305-day fat yield was generally higher in the MTDFY-5 of lactation suggesting that this TD yields could be used as the selection criteria for early evaluation and selection of Murrah buffaloes.

Heritability Estimates of Reproductive Traits in Crossbred Pigs

Records on reproductive traits of pigs pertaining to 541 crossbreds, comprising 308 half-bred inter se (½ Hampshire × ½ Local) and 233 graded inter se (¾ Hampshire × ¼ Local), maintained at ICAR Mega Seed Project (MSP) and All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on pigs, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara for the period from 2002 to 2013 constituted the materials for the present investigation. The heritability estimates were obtained by paternal halfsib correlation method using sire component of variance. The heritability estimates of age at sexual maturity, age at first conception, age at first farrowing, litter size at birth and litter size at weaning, litter weight at birth and litter weight at weaning were 0.150 ± 0.301, 0.274 ± 0.318, 0.361 ± 0.329, 0.224 ± 0.238, 0.122 ± 0.297, 0.270±0.247, 0.001±0.278 and 0.891±0.383, respectively in half-bred inter se pigs and 0.671 ± 0.445, 0.830 ± 0.468, 0.848 ± 0.471, 0.371 ± 0.185, 0.367 ± 0.388, 0.134 ± 0.268, 0.148 ± 0.502 and 0.617 ± 0.522 in graded inter se pigs, respectively.

Evaluation of growth traits of Aceh cattle at the breeding station in Indrapuri District of Indonesia

The present study was conducted using records on four breeding bulls maintained at the Indrapuri’s Breeding and Forages Center (IBFC) of Aceh Cattle, Indrapuri district, Indonesia and 52 of their progeny born from 2010 to 2014 through natural mating. Family selection was practiced in this breeding station. Traits included in this study were birth weight at 0 day (BWc), weaning weight at 205 days of age (WWc), yearling weight at 365 days of age (YWc) and final weight at 550 days of age (FWc) of their progeny. The variance and covariance components were estimated by the Paternal Half-sib Correlation method with the Excel sheets of Microsoft office computer program. The mean body weights of the animals were BWc (13.25+1.18 kg), WWc (47.80+10.00 kg), YWc (73.97+16.79 kg) and FWc (101.87+23.91 kg). Estimated heritability (h2) for BWC was low (h2 &lt; 0.10) and the other traits were high (h2&gt;0.30). Higher standard error (SE) value than h2 caused by less number of calves observation. Research showed that best relative accuracy value (RA&gt;1.00) reached in BWC. but its trait was not effective as selection criterion because of lower h2 value. It was concluded that WWC could be used as selection criterion for breeding bulls based on the similar estimated breeding value (EBV) rank and high h2 value. The EBV of WWC from breeding bull ID: 0752 was calculated and ranked accordingly. The EBVs of three top bulls ID were 100412 (10.32 kg), 100520 (9.38 kg) and 100317 (6.75 kg) and three top heifers were 100526 (9.65 kg), 100408 (7.04 kg) and 100807 (5.20 kg). It can be concluded that these top ranking three bulls and heifers can be selected and used in the breeding programs.Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2015. 44(2): 85-91

Estimation of genetic parameters of weekly test-day milk yields and first lactation 305-day milk yield in Murrah buffaloes

Aim: The aim was to estimate genetic parameters of weekly test-day (TD) milk yields and first lactation 305-day milk yield (FL305DY) in Murrah buffaloes. Materials and Methods: The data on 39059 weekly test-day milk yield (WTDY) records during first lactation of 961 Murrah buffaloes calved from 1977 to 2012 and sired by 101 bulls maintained in an organized farm at National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal was analyzed to study the effect of genetic and non-genetic factors. Least squares maximum likelihood program was used to estimate genetic and non-genetic parameters affecting WTDY and FL305DY. Heritability was estimated using paternal half-sib correlation method. The genetic and phenotypic correlations among WTDY and 305day milk yield was calculated from the analysis of variance and covariance among sire groups. Results: The least squares means for FL305DY was found to be 1853.49±15.88 Kg. The least squares means of overall WTDY ranged from 2.44±0.07 kg (TD-43) to 7.95±0.06 kg (TD-8). Effect of period, season and age at first calving groups was found to be highly significant (p<0.01), significant (p<0.05) and non-significant on FL305DY, respectively. The h 2 estimate of FL305DY was 0.25±0.09. The estimates of phenotypic and genetic correlations between 305-day milk yield and different WTDY ranged from 0.52 to 0.84 and from 0.19 to 0.98, respectively. Conclusions: Our study showed that the effect of period of calving was highly significant (p<0.01) on FL305DY as well as all the WTDY. The estimates of phenotypic and genetic correlations were generally higher in the middle segment of lactation suggesting that these TD yields could be used as the selection criteria for early evaluation and selection of animals.

ESTIMASI NILAI HERITABILITAS BERAT LAHIR, SAPIH, DAN UMUR SATU TAHUN PADA SAPI BALI DI BALAI PEMBIBITAN TERNAK UNGGUL SAPI BALI

The study was conducted to estimate heritability (h2) of birth eight, weaning weight and yearling weight of Bali Cattle at Balai Pembibitan Ternak Unggul (BPTU) Sapi Bali. This study used pedegree record including birth weight, weaning weight and yearling weight (365 days) from 2006 to 2009 years. The recording of pedigree were collected from 150 Bali calves which inherited from the crossing between 9 bulls and 150 dams. The estimation of heritability were analysed by Paternal Halfsib Correlation method. The results indicated the heritability of birth weight, weaning weight and yearling weight were 0.85±0.44; 0.51±0.32 and 0.54±0.32 respectively. Inconclusion, heritability of birth weight, weaning weight and yearling weight of Bali Cattle at BPTU Sapi Bali remain in high level. (Key words: Bali cattle, Birth weight, Heritability, Weaning weight, Yearling weight)