Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The aim of this study was to estimate the influence of heterosis and breed percentage on birth weight (BW) and weaning weight (WW) in a multibreed beef herd in a tropical environment. Data consisted of 2,006 BW and 900 WW records, and 2,843 individuals in the pedigree from the multibreed herd of the Panama Agricultural Innovation Institute (IDIAP) in Gualaca, Panama. A bivariate animal model was utilised to estimate variance components. The estimated regression coefficient for BW on heterosis was not significant (-0.04 ± 0.06 kg, P > 0.05), however, for WW the estimated regression coefficient was 0.07 ± 0.03 kg (P ≤ 0.05). Heritability for BW was found to be low (0.14 ± 0.06) and moderate for WW (0.26 ± 0.09). The proportion of variation of WW accounted by the maternal permanent environment for WW was (0.20 ± 0.09). The estimated genetic correlation between additive genetic BW and WW was 0.63 ± 0.30, while a negative, additive genetic correlation was observed for WW direct and WW maternal (-0.43 ± 0.37). These results suggest that heterosis has a beneficial influence on WW but a limited effect on BW. Additionally, increasing the percentage of Wagyu and Brahman negatively influenced WW measurements in these data.
Source: Tropical Agriculture
Language: English
Subfield: Genetics
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: diamond
Funder: Colorado State University
OpenAlex ID: W7219216620