Environmental Factors and Genetic Parameters of Beef Traits in Fleckvieh Cattle Using Field and Station Testing

Abstract

The goal of this study was to analyze the genetic and environmental factors of selected meat yield indicators in Fleckvieh cattle in the Czech Republic, through the application of station (S) and field (F) testing methods. Data collected from fattened bulls were analyzed for F (n = 9378) and for S (n = 6346). In the F method and the S method, the values of the main meat yield indicators were as follows: carcass weight 402.91 kg (F), 339.37 kg (S); carcass daily gain 626.05 g/day (F), 609.74 g/day (S); SEUROP carcass classification 2.73 (F), 2.19 (S). Environmental factors were found to have a significant impact on the selected meat yield indicators; their heritability ranged from 0.14 (SEUROP classification) to 0.33 (dressing percentage). The genetic trend was significantly positive only in relation to those meat yield traits, which had a positive link to the size or weight of the animal. The genetic correlation between observations obtained in the S and F methods of testing was very high in relation to the carcass daily gain (0.8351) and carcass weight (0.8244), while slightly lower correlations were calculated for the SEUROP classification. A genetic evaluation of the degree of fatness is not routinely performed in Fleckvieh populations, and the newly established heritability for this trait ranges between 0.17–0.20. The genetic correlation between beef yield indicators and the exterior trait of muscularity was also established, and shows a strong link to the net daily gain, the SEUROP classification and body weight (0.79–0.97). The aim of the study was to evaluate the genetic and environmental effects on meat yield and also estimate genetic parameters for new traits. We can also state, based on the results, that a strong positive genetic trend is confirmed, especially in traits related to the size or weight of animals. This result can be used in breeding programs of dual-purpose cattle, where we can genetically improve the meat and milk yield through the body size.

Genome Wide Association Study of Beef Traits in Local Alpine Breed Reveals the Diversity of the Pathways Involved and the Role of Time Stratification

“…Body weight and ADG also presented a strong genetic correlation with body weight traits, especially for the traits measured at the final stages of the performance test. In terms of genetic correlations, the results agree with what was found in other local dual-purpose or beef breeds ( Veselá et al, 2011 ; Filipčík et al, 2020 ). Phenotypic correlation followed the same trends of genetic correlation but with a lower magnitude ( Table 2 , under diagonal).…”

Bibliometric Analyzes of Some Major Effect Genes Associated with Meat Yield Traits in Livestock

“…Therefore, meat yield strongly correlates with livestock system efficiency (Capper, 2013;Pethick et al, 2021). Meat yield is a complex trait, and various genetic and environmental factors affect this trait (Filipčík et al, 2020;Grosso et al, 2010). In this respect, genetic factors significantly affect livestock meat yield (Burrow et al, 2001;Case et al, 2010).…”

Impact of Kosher Slaughter Methods of Heifers and Young Bulls on Physical and Chemical Properties of Their Meat

“…Moreover, an important factor that contributes to the enhanced kosher meat nutritional quality in comparison with the meat from standard slaughter methods is its high salt content [ 23 ]. Previous have studies investigated the influence of breed [ 24 ], gender [ 25 ], age [ 26 ], muscle type [ 27 ], and various environmental and genetic factors [ 28 ] on the final quality of meat. Furthermore, the quality of beef is determined by the procedures that are followed at all stages of meat production, starting from the appropriate selection of the breed, safety measures adopted during rearing, transport to the slaughterhouse, humane slaughter, cooling of the carcasses, and finally maintaining optimal conditions for tenderization and distribution of the end product [ 8 ].…”