Relation between bull selection index and BLUP-AM index estimated on progeny weights of Chianina sires in Umbria

Abstract

The main merit of Chianina is the giant size that makes this breed famous all over the world. At the present time the bull selection index, calculated at the end of the performance test, only takes into account daily gains and muscle development. The aim of this study was to verify whether performance tested Chianina sires produce improvement in the breed also on weight traits. The sires were therefore ranked according to both performance test bull selection indexes and BLUP-AM indexes estimated on their progeny weights at typical ages. The correlation between the two ranks was then estimated.

Keywords

• Chianina sires, performance index, weight progeny index.