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Genetic evaluation of birth and weaning weight of Gudali and two-breed synthetic Wakwa beef cattle populations under selection in Cameroon: genetic and phenotypic trends

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

C. L. Tawah ,
J. E. O. Rege ,
D. A. Mbah  and
H. Oumate
C. L. Tawah
Affiliation:
Institute of Animal and Veterinary Research, Wakwa, PO Box 65, Ngaundere, Adamawa, Cameroon
J. E. O. Rege
Affiliation:
International Livestock Centre for Africa, PO Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
D. A. Mbah
Affiliation:
Institute of Animal and Veterinary Research, Wakwa, PO Box 65, Ngaundere, Adamawa, Cameroon
H. Oumate
Affiliation:
Institute of Animal and Veterinary Research, Wakwa, PO Box 65, Ngaundere, Adamawa, Cameroon
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Abstract

Breeding programmes for Wakwa and Ngaundere Gudali cattle breeds were initiated in Wakwa (Cameroon) in 1952 and 1965, respectively, to improve growth performance of the indigenous breeds. Animals were selected on 240-day weaning weight (WWT). Data analysed covered the period 1971 through 1985 and consisted of 2211 calf birth weight (BWT) and 1409 WWT records on Gudali and 1196 BWT and 763 WWT records on Wakwa. Selection responses in BWT and WWT were estimated as regressions of average sire estimated transmitting abilities (ETAs) and average dam estimated breeding values (EBVs) on year of calving. ETAs and EBVs were predicted using best linear unbiased prediction procedures. Estimated annual changes in sire ETAs for WWT were 0·67 (s.e. 0·17) and 1·69 (s.e. 1·13) kg/year for Gudali and Wakwa, respectively. Corresponding trends in dam EBVs were –0·03 (s.e. 0·03) and –0·24 (s.e. 0·19) kg/year. Estimated correlated trends in BWT among Gudali and Wakwa sires were 0·09 (s.e. 0·05) and –0·14 (s.e. 0·04) kg/year, respectively. Corresponding correlated trends in BWT associated with dam selection were essentially zero, being –0·001 (s.e. 0·001) and –0·01 (s.e. 0·01) kg/year. Environmental trends were negative for all traits except Gudali WWT. Phenotypic trends were all positive, except that of Wakwa BWT. Overall, selection on WWT yielded moderate selection reponse despite substantial infrastructural constraints in the breeding programme. Trends in sire ETAs and dam EBVs for WWT jointly accounted for estimated genetic gains of 8·60 kg in Gudali and 20·4 kg in Wakwa over the study period. Overall correlated response in BWT during the study period was significant (P < 0·001) and negative for Wakwa. It was positive but not significant for Gudali.

Keywords

beef cattlebirth weightCameroongenetic trendweaning weight
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 58 , Issue 1 , February 1994 , pp. 25 - 34
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1994

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