Estimation of heritabilities and genetic correlations between weights and carcass traits in beef cattle in Uruguay. [764].
SUMMARY - A total of 1058 animals from 23 different breed combinations (86% steers, 14% heifers) were slaughtered with an average age of 2½ years between 1996 and 2001. Heritabilities and genetic correlations were estimated for the following traits:weight at 12, 15 and 18 months of age, slaughter and carcass weights (hot carcass weight, pistola weight, valuable cuts weight), ribeye area, subcutaneous fat thickness and subcutaneous fat thickness at P8. The posterior mean of the heritability for live weights increases with age, from 0.33 at 12mo to 0.58 at the slaughter weight.