APPLICATION OF A MULTIPLE-TRAIT ANIMAL MODEL FOR GENETIC EVALUATION OF MATERNAL AND LAMB TRAITS IN NORWEGIAN SHEEP

摘要

A selection index for overall economic merit and five subindexes for maternal and lamb traits were constructed. For estimation of breeding values, two computer programs were developed. A multiple-trait animal model was programmed for the ewe traits including number of lambs born of 1-, 2- and 3-years-old ewes and ewe fleece weight of yearlings. In order to reduce the memory requirement, the lamb data (growth rate, carcass weight, carcass grade, fat% and lamb fleece weight) were analysed by a reduced multiple-trait animal model including genetic maternal effect. Experiences with the computer programs in genetic evaluation of approximately 619 000 animals are presented. It is concluded that the models and computing strategy may be used for genetic evaluation in the national sheep breeding programme in Norway.