Selection and genetic analysis of performance testing results in Kazakh white-headed bulls under the conditions of the “Dauren” farm

Abstract

Background and Aim. A key prerequisite for the successful development of beef cattle breeding is the production of animals genetically predisposed to high meat productivity and superior meat quality. The aim of this study was to conduct performance testing of Kazakh White-headed bulls, focusing on selection and genetic parameters of the studied traits, including meat quality.

Materials and Methods. The research material consisted of Kazakh white-headed bulls that were tested for individual performance from weaning (7-9 months) to 12 months of age under the conditions of the base farm “Dauren,”, located in the Zharma District of the Abai Region. Standard zootechnical, genetic, statistical, and biometric research methods were used during the performance testing.

Results. The study revealed that the live weight of the bulls at the beginning of the performance test exceeded the breed standard minimum by 9.6%, and by the end of the test - by 29.9%. The coefficients of variation for the average live weight at 365 days and the average daily gain from 205 to 365 days were relatively high, at 15.2% and 30.7%, respectively. At the beginning of the test (205 days of age), the variation coefficient for live weight was only 3.2%. Among all tested bulls, the most consistent traits were live weight at weaning and height at the sacrum. For other traits, coefficients of variation ranged from moderate to high, between 13% and 37%.

Conclusion. The analysis of performance testing results and heritability coefficients showed that genetic factors affect 30% to 54% of the selection traits. Each 1 kg increase in live weight, was associated with an average increase of 0.16% in height at the sacrum, 3.05% in ribeye area, and 2.67% in subcutaneous fat thickness. These results indicate strong positive correlations between live weight and the key performance traits studied.