Selection index for beef cattle that maximizes overall growth yet constraining birth weight and other traits.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Maximizing growth throughout the growth period is a practical goal in the beef industry. We developed a novel selection index, called the maximum growth index, that maximizes the growth throughout the growth process and simultaneously achieves the desired weight gain at designated time points by assigning arbitrary values to selection intensity.

Methods

We used a technique called Lagrange multipliers to maximize overall growth throughout the entire growth process and to restrict weight gains to desired amounts at specific times. We developed a selection index by applying random regression (RR) to the growth curve and using the genomically enhanced breeding values of the RR coefficients as selection index traits.

Results

Examples of the developed index was ap

SUBMITTER: Togashi K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12754505 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature