Some genetic factors affecting temperament inBos tauruscattle

Abstract

Temperament scores were recorded by two operators on a herd of Bos taurus beef cattle, including Angus and Hereford controls and various crossbred groups. The herd consisted of 765 cows, 653 calves at foot (average age 2 months), and 250 yearling heifers. Recording of temperament in the yards was carried out at weighing time in November 1982 using a 1-8 scale, and immediately afterwards when the herd was drafted for natural mating using a 1-6 scale, with higher scores indicating more difficulty experienced by stockmen in carrying out the routine weighing and drafting operations. In addition, a calving temperament score was recorded on 2121 cows calving in 1981-90 using a 0-5 scale. Both scores in the yards differed significantly among cow breed groups (P < 0.001). The range of means was 1.73 units (1.86 phenotypic standard deviations: σ) for the weighing score (Score 1) and 1.57 units (1.29σ) for the drafting score (Score 2). Corresponding data for yearling breed groups were 1.11σ for Score 1 (P < 0.001) and 0.49σ for Score 2 (not significant), and for calf breed groups 0.99σ for Score 1 (P < 0.001) and 0.90σ for Score 2 (P < 0.01). The heritability for average cow score in the yards (untransformed scale) was 0.22 ±0. (based on 176 sires), for average yearling score was 0.32 ± 0.24 (47 sire groups), and for average calf score was 0.23 ± 0.12 (53 different sire groups). Transforming data to a logarithmic scale made little difference to these estimates. Cow's calving temperament score had a heritability of 0.09 ± 0.03 (486 sires) and a repeatability of 0.20 ± 0.02. The correlation of average weighing/drafting scores for cow-calf pairs was 0.27, or 0.14 after adjustment for breed group. Correlations among breed groups were 0.49 for Scores 1 and 2 from cows, 0.65 for mean scores from cows and yearlings, 0.79 for mean scores from yearlings and calves, and 0.54 for mean scores from cows and calves. It was concluded that there were generally significant differences among breeds for temperament scores, and that breeds ranked similarly over the various age groups. Cow differences within breed were repeatable, but heritable effects were generally small.

Genetic analysis of emotional reactivity in sheep: effects of the genotypes of the lambs and of their dams

“…Regarding reactivity towards humans, our estimate (h 2 = 0.23) was in agreement with those found previously in dairy cattle [13,40,46], and beef cattle [27,31]. The heritability estimates found in the present study thus provide evidence in support of the possibility of selecting for emotional traits in sheep.…”

“…For instance, studies in sheep [26,37] and cattle [23,47] have shown that emotional reactivity differs between breeds. Nevertheless most studies on livestock concern reactivity to humans, whereas reactivity to novelty and to social isolation have not been accurately estimated [13,19,31,46]. In addition breed differences can be partly explained by non-genetic influences such as maternal effects, as extensively documented in rodents [38].…”

Relationship between temperament with performance and meat quality of feedlot steers with predominantly Charolais or Nellore breed

“…The fear tests used in the present study are related to human presence and social isolation from herd mates. Moderate to high correlations found between behavioral attributes show a common psychological base (Morris et al, 1994;King et al, 2006). Some others studies have revealed distinct reactions between genotypes, reporting for Bos indicus breeds or crossbreds greater agitation compared with Bos taurus (Grandin & Deesing, 1998;Barbosa-Silveira et al, 2006;Barbosa-Silveira et al, 2008a, b).…”

Genetics of cattle temperament and its impact on livestock production and breeding – a review

“…Dairy cattle showed a higher approachability than beef cattle (Murphey et al, 1980) and were more reactive to sudden noises during cattle auctions (Lanier et al, 2000). Moreover, numerous behaviour studies were conducted for different beef breeds enabling a temperament ranking from more calm breeds like Herford and Angus to breeds that are more temperamental like German Simmental or Charolais (Morris et al, 1994;Gauly et al, 2002;Hoppe et al, 2010).…”