Genetic parameters for novel feedlot profitability-related traits in nelore cattle

Abstract

This study aimed to estimate (co)variance components and genetic parameters for accumulated profitability (AFP) and profit per kilogram of liveweight gain (PFT), and their relationships with weight at 450days of age (W450), scrotal circumference at 365days of age (SC365), age at first calving (AFC), probability of precocious calving at 30months of age (PPC30), age at puberty in males (APM), stayability (STAY), accumulated cow productivity (ACP), rib eye area (REA), rump fat thickness (RFT), resid- ual feed intake (RFI), dry-matter intake (DMI), residual live weight gain (RG), and frame score (FRAME). Data of profitability from 3614 Nelore (Bos indicus) animals were used. The (co)variance components and genetic parameters were estimated using Bayesian inference in a multi-trait animal model. The heritability estimates for AFP and PFT were 0.18 and 0.02, respectively. AFP and PFT exhibited moderate to high genetic correlations with growth traits (0.64 to 0.65), carcass (0.43 to 0.44), feed effi- ciency (0.72 to 0.88), and frame (0.44 to 0.77), except for the correlation with RFT (−0.10 to −0.68), RFI (−0.23 to 0.28), and be- tween PFT and DMI (0.26). Low to high genetic correlations (−0.47 to 0.76) with female reproductive traits and low correlations (−0.03 to −0.21) with male reproductive traits were observed for both traits. These results provide important information for improving economic performance by including complementary AFP and PFT tools in the selection criteria. Such traits can be strategic tools for producers when identifying animals with greater genetic potential for profitability, supporting decision-making in genetic planning and herd management.