HERITABILITY AND GENETIC CORRELATION ESTIMATES IN A NEW BREED OF SWINE

Abstract

Heritability for litter size (total number born alive), postweaning growth rate, and live probe backfat thickness were estimated in a new breed of swine called Managra. The Managra is of recent origin and was developed from a crossbred foundation in which seven breeds were combined. All data used in analyses were from gilt litters. Estimates of heritability were obtained by paternal half-sib correlation and parent–offspring regression. Heritability of litter size was found to be.20 ±.15, growth rate.25 ±.04, and backfat.11 ±.04 from parent–offspring regression analyses. Estimates found by paternal half-sib correlation for the three traits were.59 ±.29,.30 ±.11, and.09 ±.19 respectively.Estimates of the genetic correlation between growth rate and backfat were obtained from the data and indicated that a moderately high negative correlation existed (about −.24).Comparisons of these parameter estimates were made with those reported from long established breeds.