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Title
Comparison of udder and teat traits in Merino ewes recorded at lambing and weaning
Author(s)
Publication Date
2023-07-26
Open Access
Yes
Abstract
<p>In Australia, there is currently no standard system for assessing ewe udder traits for genetic improvement. The aim of this study was to provide preliminary genetic parameter estimates of four visually scored udder and teat traits recorded at lambing and weaning, to inform recommendations about how and when to record udder and teat traits. Udder depth, teat size and teat placement were moderately heritable at both lambing and weaning (0.23 ± 0.08 to 0.36 ± 0.09) and the traits recorded at the two stages showed high genetic correlations (udder depth 0.75 ± 0.14; teat size 0.79 ± 0.12; teat placement 0.70 ± 0.16). Udder cleft, showed lower heritability, and lower genetic correlation across the two stages, with increased phenotypic variance from lambing to weaning. These results suggest that either stage is appropriate for recording udder depth, teat size and teat placement for genetic improvement of Australian Merinos.</p>
Publication Type
Conference Publication
Source of Publication
Proceedings of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics, v.25, p. 51-54
Publisher
Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics (AAABG)
Place of Publication
Armidale, Australia
ISSN
1328-3227
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020
Peer Reviewed
Yes
HERDC Category Description
Peer Reviewed
Yes
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