Estimation of Genetic Parameters for Average Daily Gain and Carcass Traits of Hanwoo

Abstract

This study was conducted to identify the characteristics and estimate the genetic parameters of average daily gain (ADG) and carcass traits of Hanwoo. The data used in this study were 4,681 heads which were performance-tested and 4,442 heads which were progeny-tested in test station of National Agricultural Cooperative Federation. The means and standard deviations of ADG between 6~9 months (ADG:6-9), ADG between 9~12 (ADG:9-12) and ADG between 6~12 (ADG:6-12) from the performance test were 1.04 ± 0.16, 1.11 ± 0.17 and 1.07 ± 0.11, respectively. The phenotypic correlations of ADG:6-9 and ADG:9-12, ADG:6-9 and ADG:6-12, ADG:9-12 and ADG:6-12 were -0.03, 0.66 and 0.65, respectively. The phenotypic correlations of ADG:6-12 with carcass weight (CW), eye muscle area (EMA), backfat thickness (BF), and marbling score (MS) from progeny test were 0.446, 0.199, 0.0266 and 0.045, respectively. Estimated heritabilities from the pooled data were 0.251 (ADG:6-12), 0.298 (CW), 0.424 (EMA), 0.503 (BF) and 0.626 (MS), respectively. Estimated genetic correlations of ADG:6-12 with CW, EMA, BF, MS were 0.606, 0.292, -0.095 and -0.007, respectively. From these results, it could be suggested that selection for ADG significantly affects CW, EMA and BF by correlated response to selection.

A transcriptomic analysis of skeletal muscle tissues reveals promising candidate genes and pathways accountable for different daily weight gain in Hanwoo cattle

“…Daily weight gain is a complex carcass trait and the heritability of average daily weight gain in Korean native Hanwoo cattle is reported to be moderate to high 3 , 4 . Studies have estimated the heritability of this trait to be around 0.30 to 0.60 3 , 4 . This suggests that a considerable portion of the variation in average daily weight gain can be attributed to genetic factors, indicating the potential for selective breeding to improve this trait in the Hanwoo cattle population.…”

“…This factor should be taken into consideration in genetic improvement programs as part of the evaluation of the economic return on investment in beef cattle production.Moreover, genetic and environmental factors play a significant role in determining the different daily weight gain, which contributes to the overall carcass weight variation 1,2 . Daily weight gain is a complex carcass trait and the heritability of average daily weight gain in Korean native Hanwoo cattle is reported to be moderate to high 3,4 . Studies have estimated the heritability of this trait to be around 0.30 to 0.60 3,4 .…”