Several functions were used to model fixed and random part of the lactation curve in Iranian primiparous Holstein cows using random regression analysis. Legendre polynomials of orders three and four as well as parametric lactation curve for the random part of the first lactation milk production were compared to find the best model. The models differed in fixed regression lactation curve part an...

A total of 42,197 records of test-day milk yield (TDY) and 7654 lactations from 3854 individuals belonging to the Spanish Assaf Assaf.E) breed were analysed using univariate and multivariate models to estimate genetic parameters affecting TDY, total milk ield standardised to 180 days (MY180) and lactation length (LL) in order to asses their possibilities of use in the selection scheme f the Ass...

Data from the slaughter of 24,001 chickens that were part of a selection program for the production of commercial broilers were used to estimate genetic trend for absolute carcass (CW), breast meat (BRW), and leg (LW) weights, and relative carcass (CY), breast meat (BRY), and leg (LY) weights. The components of (co)variance and breeding values of individuals were obtained by the restricted maxi...

In this study test-day records of milk (kg), fat (g), and protein (g) yields, somatic cell score (SCS, cells/ML) collected by Animal Breeding Center of Iran during 2007 and 2009 were used to estimate genetic parameters using random regression model. Models with different order of Legendre polynomials were compared using Bayesian information criterion (BIC).For milk, fat yield and SCS genetic an...

Estimates of covariance functions and genetic parameters were obtained for growth of Angus cattle from birth to 820 days of age. Data comprised 84,533 records on 20,731 animals in 43 herds, with a high proportion of animals with 4 or more weights recorded. Changes in weights were modelled through random regression on orthogonal polynomials of age at recording. A total of 11 combinations of quad...

Direct and maternal genetic parameters for production traits in 1,642 pigs and maternal genetic correlations among production (1,642 pigs) and feed efficiency (380 boars) traits were estimated in 7 generations of a Duroc population. Traits studied were daily gain (DG), intramuscular fat (IMF), loineye area (LEA), backfat thickness (BF), daily feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and re...

Using targeted survey, excavation, and radiocarbon dating, we assess the extent to which human settlement patterns on California’s northern Channel Islands fit predictions arising from the ideal free distribution (IFD): (1) people first established and expanded permanent settlements in the regions ranked high for environmental resource suitability; (2) as population grew, they settled in progre...

Fishers have been complaining about the effects of bottom trawl gear on the marine environment since at least the 14th century. Trawl gear affects the environment in both direct and indirect ways. Direct effects include scraping and ploughing of the substrate, sediment resuspension, destruction of benthos, and dumping of processing waste. Indirect effects include post-fishing mortality and long...

Data from 8759 meat-type quails from the UFV1 strain and 9128 from the UFV2 strain were used to assess the possibility of reducing the number of body weight records in genetic evaluations. The evaluated animals were weighed weekly since hatching to the 6th week of life, with up to 7 records of body weight for each bird. The data were evaluated by random regression models, with 9 alternative sch...

A selection experiment was established in 1981 to increase twinning rate in cattle. Results reported are through 1993 calf crops. Estimates of genetic parameters for a two-trait twinning and ovulation rate model with genetic groups were as follows: heritabilities of .03 for twinning and .07 for ovulation rates with a genetic correlation of nearly 1.00 and fractional permanent environmental vari...