Genetic by environment interaction for post weaning growth traits in tropical cattle

• Published in: Proceedings of the 8th World congress on genetics applied to livestock production. 2006; 8. World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production, Belo Horizonte, BRA, 2006-08-13-2006-08-18
• Main Authors: Navès, Michel, Menendez Buxadera, Alberto, Farant, Alain, Mandonnet, Nathalie
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: 2006

Genetic by environment interactions for post weaning traits were studied in a local breed ofcattle, well adapted to tropical conditions. After weaning, 444 beef calves of both sexes wereseparated within two management systems, either in intensive fattening or at pasture. The traitsanalysed included weights at standard age, of 365 days (W12), 455 days (W15) and 545 days(W18), and post weaning growth rates from weaning until 15 months (PWG15) or 18 months(PWG18). (Co)variance components for all characters were analysed using restrictedmaximum likelihood (REML) methodology. Different bi-variate animal models were studied,involving separate traits measured one in intensive fattening and the other at pasture. Very lowcorrelations between growth traits obtained in both management systems were observed. Theseresults indicates that there exists an important interaction between genetic merit andenvironment for post weaning growth traits, and indicate that it may necessary to take intoaccount the real management conditions for the selection on such traits in tropical conditions.