Author(s): VAZ, K. M.; SOUZA, J. C. de; FERRAZ, A. L. J.; SILVEIRA, M. V. da; ARRUDA, R. M. da S. de; SOUZA, C. F. de; FERRAZ FILHO, P. B.; MACHADO, C. H. C.; ALENCAR, M. P.; ABREU, U. G. P. de

Summary: ABSTRACT:The objective was to estimate the growth curves and genetic parameters using random regression methodology for Nellore cattle raised in Pantanal, MS, Brazil (6974 calves; n = 53,233 weights), with at least four weighings per individual. The model considered direct and maternal genetic additives and maternal permanent environmental effects at random. Orthogonal Legendre polynomials of cubic order were used to fit the growth curve. Analyses of variance were performed using the GLM procedure. The model used contained the fixed effects of sex, year of birth, farm, and the covariates calf birth month (linear and quadratic) and cow age at calving (linear and quadratic). The adjusted mean weight at 120 days of age was 93.43 ± 19.78 kg, and for 205 days of age, it was 180.42 ± 26.58 kg. Animals born in the dry season had a higher average weight [kg] (219.57 vs. 211.78, 3.7% higher) and, consequently, had higher weights at 646 days of age. Estimates of direct heritabilities (h2a) ranged from 0.35 to 0.75 (high magnitudes), and maternal heritabilities (h2m) along the trajectory of low magnitudes ranged from 0.03 to 0.08, respectively. The use of random regression to evaluate beef animals allows for adjusting the growth curve and selecting the best animals to be the parents of future generations. RESUMO: O estudo teve como objetivo estimar curvas de crescimento e parâmetros genéticos para Nelore bovinos usando uma metodologia de regressão aleatória. O conjunto de dados incluiu 6.974 bezerros criados no Pantanal, MS, Brasil, e 53.233 registros de peso, com pelo menos quatro pesagens por indivíduo. Os pesos médios aos 120 e 205 dias foram 93,43 kg e 180,42 kg, respectivamente. Os animais nascidos na estação seca tiveram pesos médios mais elevados, levando a pesos mais elevados aos 646 dias. As herdabilidades diretas variaram de 0,35 para 0,75, enquanto as herdabilidades maternas eram baixas (0,03 a 0,08). A regressão aleatória ajusta efetivamente curvas de crescimento e auxilia na seleção de animais superiores para reprodução.

Publication year: 2024

Types of publication: Journal article

Unit: Embrapa Pantanal

Keywords: Animal genetics, Cattle production, Curva de Crescimento, Gado Nelore, Ganho de Peso, Genética Animal, Seleção Genética, Weight gain