@conference {40611,
	title = {Genetic and phenotypic parameters associated with lean tissue growth in Dorset Down sheep},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {54},
	year = {1994},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {251-254},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Genetic and phenotypic parameter estimates were derived from  
performance data collected over nine years for the Lincoln University Dorset  
Down flock.  Data were for animals born each spring and run at pasture.  Ewes  
(n=922) were measured in autumn and rams (n=819) in winter.  Measurements  
were live weight and <I>in vivo</I> fat and muscle depths. 
 
Genetic and phenotypic parameters were estimated using multi-variate  
AIREML analyses by fitting an individual animal model with animal as a  
random effect, birth rank, age of dam and year of birth as fixed effects  
and age at measurement as a covariate.  Multi-variate heritability estimates  
({\textpm} s.e.) for live weight, fat and muscle depths were 0.42 ({\textpm}0.04), and 0.30({\textpm}0.05)  
for rams and 0.26({\textpm}0.01), 0.20({\textpm}0.05) and 0.13({\textpm}0.03) for ewes respectively.   
Estimates of genetic correlations were generally moderate to high for the two  
sexes.  The genetic correlation between live weight and fat depth was significantly  
different for the two sexes, with rams (0.42{\textpm}0.10) having a higher value than  
ewes (0.24{\textpm}0.02).  Phenotypic correlations differed between the sexes, with  
estimates for ewes being slightly higher.  For both sexes, parameter estimates  
were different from those used to derive the indices used to select for lean  
tissue growth, ram estimates being consistently higher while those for ewes  
were more equivocal. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Nsoso SJ and Young MJ and Beatson PR and Bell ST}
}
