Animal x testing environment interaction on postweaning liveweight gains of young bulls

Abstract

Postweaning liveweight gain records of 1610 young bulls obtained both in feedlot and under pasture were used to estimate (co)variance components using a multivariate restricted maximum likelihood analysis. The pedigree file included 3477 animals. Heritability estimates for liveweights and gain in both environments correspond to most previously reported estimates. The genetic correlation of gain between the 2 environments was -0·12, suggesting a large genotype testing environment interaction and re-ranking of animal breeding values across environments. Results of this analysis suggest the need for environment-specific breeding values for postweaning gain.