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Development of an index that decreases birth weight, promotes postnatal growth and yet minimizes selection intensity in beef cattle |
Kenji Togashi1,* 
, Toshio Watanabe2
, Atsushi Ogino2
, Masakazu Shinomiya3, Masashi Kinukawa2
, Kazuhito Kurogi3
, Shohei Toda2 |
1Livestock Improvement Association of Japan, Maebashi, Gunma 371-0121, Japan(Retired)
2Livestock Improvement Association of Japan, Maebashi, Gunma 371-0121, Japan
3Livestock Improvement Association of Japan, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0041, Japan |
Correspondence:
Kenji Togashi, Tel: +81-0272692440, Fax: +81-0272692440, Email: k-togashi@liaj.or.jp
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Received: 7 September 2023 • Revised: 10 October 2023 • Accepted: 6 November 2023 |
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| Abstract |
Objective
The main goal of our current study was to improve the growth curve of meat animals by decreasing the birth weight while achieving a finishing weight that is the same as that before selection but at younger age.
Methods
Random regression model was developed to derive various selection indices to achieve desired gains in body weight at target time points throughout the fattening process. We considered absolute and proportional gains at specific ages (in weeks) and for various stages (i.e., early, middle, late) during the fattening process.
Results
The point gain index was particularly easy to use because breeders can assign a specific age (in weeks) as a time point and model either the actual weight gain desired or a scaled percentage gain in body weight.
Conclusion
The point gain index we developed can achieve the desired weight gain at any given postnatal week of the growing process and is an easy-to-use and practical option for improving the growth curve. |
| Keywords:
Birth Weight; Growth Curve; Index; Random Regression; Selection Intensity |
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