Genetic aspects of growth and carcass quality in veal calves

Abstract

Genetic parameters of veal calves were estimated from data on 510 Danish Red male calves by 39 sires. Heritability estimates for the growth and carcass traits were low, those for body dimensions and dressing percentage high. Correlations between the growth and carcass traits indicated no genetic incompatibility in selection. The problem of achieving simultaneous improvement in the dairy, carcass and growth qualities is discussed. It is suggested that the adoption of performance testing for growth and carcass quality prior to the entry of bulls into AI service, followed by progeny testing for milk and fat yields, would provide the best method of genetic improvement.

Performance test procedures for meat production amongst dairy bulls used in AI

“…Clearly, any testing procedure which promotes large genetic differences between bulls, or which minimizes interaction between the test environment and the environment in which the effects of selection are expressed, will improve the profitability of the performance test itself and its competiveness in relation to the dairy progeny test. Previous experience, however, indicates that the collection of animals together in a central station is more likely to reduce the expression of genetic variation than to enhance it (Hinks, 1969;Nielsen et al, 1969). Against this background, the genetic parameters that were used to predict selection responses seem to be justified.…”