Estimation of Genetic Parameters for Growth Traits in a Crossbred Population Derived from Piedmontese and Nanyang Cattle Using a Multi-Trait Animal Model

The objective of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters for growth traits in a cross between Piedmontese and Nanyang cattle. Data from the pure Italian Piedmontese and Chinese Nanyang breeds as well as from crosses between these two breeds were used to estimate genetic parameters and variance. Data were extracted from a base data set (49,646 growth records of 9,003 animals from 13 herds). The data were analyzed using the multiple-trait Restricted Maximum Likelihood (REML) Method to estimate the variance and the genetic parameters. The multiple-trait analysis included weights at birth, 6, 12, 18, 24 months and maturity. Weight heritability ranged from 0.34±0.01-0.54±0.03; the heritabilities at 24 months and at maturity were higher than at all other time points. Results indicated that growth traits were good traits for selection and cattle genetic evaluation. The estimates obtained in this study will be used in the breeding value estimation for national genetic evaluations of the Chinese crossbreed population between Piedmontese beef cattle and Nanyang Yellow cattle.