Genetic parameters of carcass quality in Down cross sheep
- 1 February 1968
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Cambridge University Press (CUP) in Animal Science
- Vol. 10 (2), 183-191
- https://doi.org/10.1017/s0003356100026131
Abstract
This report gives an account of the paternal half-sib analysis of carcass quality, based on commercial joint dissection, on Down cross sheep collected in the four years 1962–65 inclusive. It also includes a discussion of the multiplicative correction factors used, and the phenotypic and genetic correlations between all the traits, estimated from the pooled within-farm, within-year analysis. It shows that there is very little genetic variation for many of the characters but that the percentage leg, percentage best end, age at slaughter and eye-muscle area have much additive genetic variation remaining for worthwhile response to be expected from selection. These three carcass traits are also the most important characters in determining the commercial value and saleability of lamb. From the results obtained it is argued that there is still much genetic variation for fat development in sheep.Keywords
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