Weaning results of beef Hungarian Fleckvieh calves: 2. Genetic parameters, breeding values

Weaning weight, preweaning daily gain and 205-day weight of Hungarian Fleckvieh calves (n=8 929, bulls =4 539, heifers =4 390) born from 232 sires between 1980 and 2003 were examined. Variance, covariance components and heritability values and correlation coefficients were estimated. The effect of the maternal permanent environment on genetic parameters and breeding values were examined. Two animal models were used for breeding value estimation. The direct heritability (h d) of weaning weight, preweaning daily gain and 205-day weight was between 0.37 and 0.42. The maternal heritability (h 2 m) of these traits was 0.06 and 0.07. The direct-maternal correlations (rdm) were medium and negative −0.52 and −0.74. Contribution of the maternal heritability and maternal permanent environment to phenotype is smaller than that of direct heritabilities (h 2 m+c <h d). The ratio of the variance of maternal permanent environment in the phenotypic variance (c2) changed from 3 to 6 %. Estimated breeding values changed whether the permanent environmental effect of dam wasn’t taken into consideration but the rank of the animals was not modified. The genetic value for weaning results of Hungarian Fleckvieh population has increased since 1997.