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Grill, L; Willam, A; Baumung, R; Furst-Waltl, B.
(2015): Optimization of the meat index in Austrian sheep
ZUCHTUNGSKUNDE. 2015; 87(6): 379-390.

Abstract:: A complex deterministic approach was used to evaluate the annual genetic gain for Austrian meat and land sheep. A total population size of 2,700 and 24,600 ewes, including 1,600 und 7,000 herd book ewes was assumed for meat and land sheep, respectively. Model calculations focused on different weights of traits in the meat index and improvement of the performance testing regime. Traits considered were daily gain, EUROP carcass classification score, muscle depth and fat depth. A positive annual genetic gain for fat depth (i.e. reduction) may only be achieved when it is given a weight in the meat index. As no direct performance information on EUROP carcass classification score is currently available, its inclusion in the breeding goal results in a markedly decreased reliability of the meat index and is thus questionable. An improvement of the performance testing scheme by increasing the test capacity is suggested because of the possible higher selection intensity. Further, the number of ewes per ram should preferably be increased in meat sheep.
Authors BOKU Wien:: Baumung Roswitha; Fürst-Waltl Birgit; Grill Lina; Willam Alfons
Find related publications in this database (Keywords): Land sheep; meat sheep; meat performance; selection index; breeding goal; breeding program