Cm. Bromley et al., Genetic parameters among weight, prolificacy, and wool traits of Columbia,Polypay, Rambouillet, and Targhee sheep, J ANIM SCI, 78(4), 2000, pp. 846-858
Genetic parameters for Columbia, Polypay, Rambouillet, and Targhee sheep we
re estimated using REML with animal models for prolificacy, weight, and woo
l traits. All bivariate analyses included a covariance between additive gen
etic effects for the two traits plus appropriate additional covariances. Nu
mber of observations by breed ranged from 5,140 to 7,095 for prolificacy tr
aits, from 7,750 to 9,530 for weight traits, and from 4,603 to 34,746 for w
ool traits. Heritability estimates ranged from .03 to .11 for prolificacy t
raits (litter size at birth and litter size at weaning), from .09 to .26 fo
r weight traits (birth weight and average daily gain), and from .25 to .53
for wool traits (fleece weight, fleece grade and staple length). Estimates
of direct genetic correlations among prolificacy and among weight traits we
re positive and ranged from .58 to 1.00 and .18 to 1.00, respectively. Esti
mates of direct genetic correlation between fleece weight and staple length
were positive (.50 to .70) but were negative between fleece weight and fle
ece grade (-.60 to -.34) and between staple length and fleece grade (-.72 a
nd -.40). Prolificacy and wool traits were essentially uncorrelated. Weight
and prolificacy traits were slightly positively correlated. Weight traits
had a moderate positive direct genetic correlation with fleece weight and s
taple length, but were uncorrelated with fleece grade. These estimates of g
enetic parameters between prolificacy, weight, and wool traits can be used
to construct multiple-trait selection indexes for dual-purpose sheep.