O. Slana et al., EVALUATION OF THE LIVE WEIGHT AND PURE WO OL PRODUCTION FOR SHEEPS ATTHE AGE OF ONE-YEAR BY MEANS OF THE ANIMAL-MODEL, Zivocisna vyroba, 38(5), 1993, pp. 395-406
Utilization of the animal model should bring an important precise defi
nition of breeding value estimation and improvement of the prerequisit
es for an increase in selection efficiency. Utilization of all availab
le information on efficiency of ancestors and siblings and inclusion o
f repeatability of the observed properties were the priorities of this
model. During the spot evaluation the class for efficiency was layed
down on the basis of objectively determined live weight and pure wool
production at the age of one year and it was joined with the class for
fleece and exterior classifications. From synthesis of these data the
final class is determined and it is a certain type of index. For the
population observed we used this method in comparison with evaluation
of the same properties by the animal model using the information from
pedigree. Variability of properties and differences at population eval
uation by the spot system presented in comparison with the animal mode
l utilization were evaluated. We were finding out, whether the informa
tion on breeding value is more accurate and whether it can establish c
onditions for improvement of the efficiency of selection in the sheep
population. The analysis of efficiency of the ,,Sumavka'' (S) sheep br
eed population and synthetic group of cross-breds with the different s
hare of genes from the Romney Marsh sheep breed (Kent - K), Romanov sh
eep breed (R), Finnish sheep breed (F), Improved Wallachian sheep bree
d (ZV) and Texel sheep breed (T) was carried out. The population had b
een observed over the years 1988, 1989 and 1990. Totally 925 individua
ls were evaluated, out of which the efficiency is known for 515 indivi
duals. The following indicators were evaluated: live weight, pure wool
production and mean fineness at the age of one year. The analysis of
the final breeding class, determined by the index of the basis of spot
evaluation, was carried out. Steady effects on efficiency at the age
of one year (genotype, litter size, dam age and the year and month of
birth) were considered. All relations were used for numerical expressi
on of estimation of breeding values of the individuals. Estimation was
carried out individually for particular observed properties. Solving
the problem is performed by the iterative method and statistical signi
ficances of particular effects are not known therefore. For all indivi
duals both with efficiency measured and in pedigree an order in estima
ted breeding value for weight, pure wool and the class, determined by
the spot evaluation at the age of one year, was laid down. Correlation
s among the indicators were calculated. Live weight at the age of one
year was 42.65 kg and the average pure wool production was 3.11 kg (Ta
b. I). Standard deviation for both properties proves higher variabilit
y, which establishes conditions for efficient selection. The average o
f mean fineness - 37.61 mum expresses predominance of the initial bree
d. The individuals of similar type as the initial domestic breed, whic
h is evidently the most suitable for the given environment, seem to be
in the process of hybrid individuals selection also included into bre
eding. In this respect a natural selection could be of any effect, too
. Found out differences in the live weight among the levels of steady
effects were relatively small and they were approximately 7.81 % of th
e average weight, in the pure wool even only 6.11 %. The highest diffe
rences were found out in the mean fineness, they were 15.46 % there. C
rossbreds with fertile breeds and the Texel breed reached the highest
values in the live weight and the group of S x KJ crossbreds was the s
econd. In pure wool shearing a group with the share of fertile and K b
reeds was manifested as the best and the initial S population was the
weakest. In the mean fineness the highest values were found out for th
e group with smaller share of fertile breeds and the K breed. The init
ial S population had more crude wool. The deviations in the class corr
espond in an order with deviations of the genotypes in the mean finene
ss, but pure wool and live weight have the different order than the cl
ass determined by the index.Also a litter size had an effect on the di
fferences in live weight and pure wool production. Singletons were hea
vier and they manifested higher pure wool shearing, mean wool fineness
was higher comparing to the twins. The effect of dam's age was neglig
ible for the indicators observed. The highest production values were f
ound out in the progeny of three to four years old dams. For older and
younger dams the live weight and pure wool of progenies decreased. On
ly in the mean fineness with the increased age of dams a finer assortm
ent was gradually recorded. Besides the age also an effect of the year
when a dam was born was considered and it can better express changing
environment and genetic trend. The results indicate that some, howeve
r insignificant, differences actually exist. They were manifested in t
he live weight more markedly than in pure wool, but a trend in both pr
operties was equal, Lay-out of breeding values, determined by the anim
al model, is besides pure wool considerably irregular and a higher par
t of individuals obtained negative breeding values. Variability for al
l the properties observed is adequate. Found correlations between util
ity properties and the class determined by the index were low and nega
tive (class - live weight r = -0.089, class - pure wool r = -0.298, cl
ass-mean fineness r = -0.066). On the contrary the correlation among u
tility properties were higher, significant and positive (live weight -
pure wool r = 0.554, pure wool - mean fineness r = 0.463). It is obvi
ous that also another indefinable factors have an effect on the comple
x evaluation during the spot evaluation. Proper efficiency considers t
his evaluation only little. The class laid down from the efficiency sp
ot evaluation and on the basis of visual classification is of a low co
nclusiveness, which can cause the differences between estimated and fa
ctual selection effect. The animal model utilization during the proces
s of evaluation contributes to an objective utilization of complex inf
ormation on the proper efficiency, parental and relationships efficien
cies at simultaneous elimination of random and systematic errors.