44. Genetic variation in resilience to climate effects on beef carcass traits

H. Bunning, E. Wall

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

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Abstract

Breeding climate resilient cattle is an important strategy to mitigate the effects of climate change. Resilience of beef cattle is less well understood compared to dairy, especially in temperate climates. This study aims to compare resilience to climate, both average weather and extreme weather events, for carcass weight, age at slaughter and carcass growth rate. Linear models were used to analyse these traits in over 1.7 million records from UK abattoirs. Resilience was estimated using regression coefficients for interactions between breed type and weather parameters. Results show variation between breeds for resilience to climate with British breeds showing the greatest resilience. Our results suggest an increase in heat waves by 1 per 100 days of life would reduce cold carcass weights of dairy and continental animals by about 150 g but increase that of British breed animals by about 360 g.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of 12th World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production (WCGALP)
Subtitle of host publicationTechnical and species orientated innovations in animal breeding, and contribution of genetics to solving societal challenges
PublisherWageningen Academic Publishers
ISBN (Electronic)978-90-8686-940-4
DOIs
Publication statusFirst published - 9 Feb 2023

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