Genetic parameters and trends for weight and age in Nellore

Abstract

The study aimed to was estimate the genetics parameters, correlations and trends for the weight of Nellore breed bovines at 205, 365 and 550 days of age. Genetics analysis was carried out by the methodology of mixing models, the statistical model containing the aleatory direct and maternal genetic effects, the uncorrelated maternal permanent environmental effect and the error, as fixed effects of contemporary group (farm, sex, season, water and drought, the year of birth of the calf), and the covariable age of dam. The genetic trends were estimated by linear regression of the breeding values on years of birth of the animals. Estimates of direct heritabilities were 0.13 ± 0.03 to W205; 0.03 ± 0.02 to W365; and 0.12 ± 0.04 to W550. Genetic correlations were of 0.55 a 0.85. The genetic parameters allow gains through selection and, according to the correlations, selection for weight gain to a certain age will allow gains weight at later ages, despite the gains are slow due to low heritability coefficients.