Abstract

This paper addresses one particular difficulty associated with performance recording and genetic evaluation of deer, that is, the problem of recording pedigrees. A deterministic simulation was carried out using parameters based on deer populations where birthday has been recorded. For weaning weight, failure to record birth date resulted in reductions by 29% and 19% in selection accuracy, with selection on the records from the individual or from 20 progeny respectively. Corresponding reductions for yearling weight were 11% and 5% respectively. It was concluded that while genetic progress in deer will be compromised by lack of date of birth records, selection for growth traits can still be effective.

P, Amer, DJ Garrick, and G Nicoll

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 59, , 129-130, 1999