Genetic analysis of velvet antler yield in farmed elk (Cervus elaphus)

Data from the Alberta Agriculture Food and Rural Development data base, whi ch keeps inventories of elk producers and velvet production information (n = 12 724), were used to estimate genetic and phenotypic variances, heritabi lity and repeatability estimates for velvet antler using REML methods. The heritability based on the animal models I and IT was 0.27 +/- 0.03 and the repeatability ranged from 0.31 +/- 0.02 to 0.35 +/- 0.03 depending on the a nimal model used. Antler yield is expected to respond to selection as the h eritability is medium, but non-additive and environmental effects can also influence production.