Understanding Genetics

For Use In
Goat Production

Dr. Dennis Onks

Director
Middle TN Research Center
University of Tennessee
 PHENOTYPE
AN ANIMAL’S VISUAL EXPRESSION OR
PERFORMANCE IN ANY TRAIT

The Phenotype is the outcome of

Genetic Transfer as developed
in a production Environment
 PHENOTYPE
Defined as the sum of the genetic
and environmental variation

The Genetic variation accounts for 25% of

The Phenotype while the Environment
Accounts for 75%!
 Sound Breeding Program
Maximum Genetic Improvement occurs
In a Herd Environment that allows the
Improved Genetics to be Expressed
 Sources of
Environmental Variation

1. Weather
2. Land Topography
3. Structural Resources
4. Forages and Feeding
5. Health and Sanitation
 Genetic Variation is the study of
How Traits are Inherited
•All body cells contain “Blueprints” with
instructions as to how an animal will look or
act etc.
•DNA or Deoxyribonucleic Acid contains the
genes of traits in the double helix ribbons
located in every cell
 GENE

The combination of genes are attached to

chromosomes which guide the animal to express
A trait or response

http://library.thinkquest.org
Species differ in chromosomes
Humans 23 pairs of chromosomes
Cattle 30 pairs of chromosomes
Sheep 27 pairs of chromosomes
Swine 19 pairs of chromosomes
Chicken 39 pairs of chromosomes
Goat 30 pairs of chromosomes
Horse 16 pairs of chromosomes
 How Traits are Inherited
The science of ½’s since each living animal receives a
Sample ½ of its genetics from its father and a sample ½
of its genetics from its mother.
The process of halving is done by Meiosis
 Gene Dominance

One Gene
overshadows
The expression of its
other pair (allele)
(allele

We’re heterozygous
(different)

WW and
Ww = White
 Recessive Genes
•The gene that is
overshadowed by a
dominant gene.
Recessive genes can only
be expressed when they
We’re Homozygous both are present
(the same)

RED COAT COLOR = ww

 QUALITATIVE
TRAITS
TRAITS THAT ARE AFFECTED
BY A SINGLE OR A FEW
PAIR OF GENES

COAT COLOR
TEETH
HORNS
 QUANTITATIVE TRAITS
TRAITS AFFECTED BY NUMEROUS
PAIRS OF GENES
The thousands of genes present make
countless combinations possible in an
animal. Since genes are too small to
identify individually, they express their
presence by such outward effects as
differences in growth, carcass or
reproduction traits
Quantitative Traits (cont’d)
Growth traits
Birth weight
Weaning weight
Yearling weight
Growth rate (ADG)
Frame size
Carcass traits
Rib eye area
Fat thickness
Marbling
Reproduction traits
fertility/adaptability
Which buck has the best genetics for growth?

Is the buck on the left bigger because he had

better genetics for growth or because he was
provided a better environment?
 IMPROVEMENT OF ANY
TRAIT DEPENDS:

MEASURING DIFFERENCES IN A TRAIT

ACCURATELY IDENTIFYING SUPERIOR

INDIVIDUALS IN THE TRAIT

USING SUPERIOR INDIVIDUALS AS PARENTS

HOW HERITABLE THE TRAIT IS (heritability)

 What is Selection?
• Choosing animals to be parents for the next
generation to produce certain characteristics
• Low Birth weight
• Heavier Weaning Weight
• Gaining Fast
• Horned or Polled
• Temperament
• Better Eating Quality
 Heritability(h ) 2

Percentage of the differences (measured or observed) in a trait

between animals that are transmitted to the offspring.

Reproduction Low
fertility,etc.
fertility

Production Moderate
growth

Product High
carcass
(Heritability is a measure of how a trait will
respond to selection)
 Low Heritable Traits
• Birth Interval 5-10%
• Number Born 15%
• Rear Legs 15%
• Udder Support 20%
• Reproduction 15%
 Moderately Heritable Traits
• Birth Weight 30-40%
• Weaning Weight 20-30%
• Yearling Weight 40%
• Feed Conversion 40%
• Quality Grade 40%
• Ribeye Area 40-45%
• Muscling 40-45%
 Highly Heritable Traits
• Mature Weight 65%
• Milk Fat 55%
• Stature, Frame 45-50%
• Carcass Weight 45-50%
• Scrotal Circumference 50%
 Selection for traits is Impacted
by the Correlation(r2)
Between Traits
• Genetic Correlation measures the genetic
association between traits

• Phenotypic Correlation measures the local

or environmental association between traits

• Correlation ranges in value of +1.0 to –1.0

(indicates the direction of association)
 Phenotypic Correlations
Body
WT Length Heart Girth Backfat Loin Area
Kidding
Difficulty
-.50

Length +.92

Heart Girth +.97 +.87

Backfat +.60 +.45 +.51

Loin Area +.90 +.74 +.89 +.79

Scrotal
+.86 +.87 +.77 +.51 +.67
Circumference
 Use of Heritability and
Correlations
• Selection for Weight makes moderate
progress (h2=40-65%)

• Positive Correlation (r2=+.50) between

birth, weaning and carcass traits means
Selection will result in increases in all
three traits.
 Use of Heritability and
Correlations
• Selection for Weight makes moderate
progress (h2=40-65%)

• Negative Correlation (r2=-.50) between

Weight and Kidding Difficulty means
Selection will result with increased
Kidding Difficulty and birth, weaning
and carcass weight.
Selection for the Industry
• Consumer
• Packer
• Feeder
• Commercial producer
• Purebred Breeder

• Each section may have differing

trait criteria
 CONSUMER

• Price/ Value
• Consistency
• Holidays
• Taste/ Flavor
• Safety/ Health
 PACKER
• Dressing Percent
• Quality Grade
• Yield Grade
 FEEDER
• Health
• Gain
• Feed Efficiency
 Commercial or Purebred
Producer
• Reproduction
• Maintenance Cost
• Growth
– Weaning
– Yearling
 ECONOMIC
IMPORTANCE
RELATIVE
TRAIT IMPORTANCE
REPRODUCTION 2

PRODUCTION 1

PRODUCT 1
 Heritability
(Heritability is a measure of how a trait will
respond to selection)

Reproduction Low
Production Moderate
Product High
“or how well the offspring resemble their parents phenotype”
 MEASURABLE TRAIT
(Phenotype)

• GENETIC EFFECTS
– ½ GENETICS FROM BUCK
– ½ GENETICS FROM DOE
• ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
– WEATHER
– NUTRITION
– HEALTH
– Etc.
 Measures of Phenotype

P = G + E
Birth weights
Weaning weights
Yearling weights
Carcass Traits
Reproductive traits
Adaptability
 Measures of Phenotype
P = G + E
Requires: 1. Identification of animals
2. Equipment to record trait measure
3. Record Keeping System
4. Computer with Spreadsheet is
economical and recommended
 Genetic Evaluations
Phenotypes and Pedigrees

Objective: convert data into genetic

information for the purpose of selection

Separate genetic portion of phenotype from

environment.
 41 lbs
38 lbs

• 90 DAYS OLD • 105 DAYS OLD

• ON FARM “A” • ON FARM “A”
• BUCK • BUCK
• 2 YR DOE • 4 YR DOE

WHAT ARE THE KNOWN ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS?

Known Environmental Effects
680 650

AGE
- 15 DAYS + 15 DAYS

AGE OF DOE
2 YR OLD 4 YEAR OLD

FARM
SAME SAME
 Adjusted 90 day wt.
formula

(Actual Wt - Birth wt) X 90 + doe age adj. + birth wt

Age in days

Breed associations are calculating adjustments as they

accumulate data from the breeders
 Adjusted 90 day wt.

(41 –8) (42 – 7) X 90 + 0 + 7

90 days X 90 + 5 + 8 105 days

= 45.999 Lbs. = 36.999 Lbs.

 Contemporary Group Ratios
adj. 90 day wt adj. 90 day wt
39 37
Buck A Buck B

Herd Avg. = 36 Herd Avg.= 36

Ratio = 39/36 Ratio = 37/36

108 102.8
Useful for within herd selections but not between herds
We must expect differences between
animals across different environments
Future Genetic Evaluations
Source of data
Ancestors
Collateral relatives
Descendents
Own performance
Correlated traits
 (EPD)-Expected Progeny
Difference
• A prediction of the genetics a goat will pass on to
his kids, when compared to other goats within
the breed
• Takes into account the actual measurements, all
ancestral measurements and environment
• Not a perfect science, so use as a risk
management tool
 College Football BCS
Purpose is to identify best college football teams
Source of Data :

AP ranking
USA Ranking
Record
Strength of schedule
etc.

Ranking changes as more games are played

National Goat Evaluation
Breed Specific

Breed summaries report

EPDs.
Expected Progeny Difference
And Breeding Values

The American Boer Goat Association, American Dairy

Goat Association, National DHI Program
 Interpreting EPDs
Provide a prediction of future progeny performance of
one individual compared to future progeny of
another individual within a breed for a specific trait.

Allow one to compare or rank the genetic superiority

of individual animals within a breed for a specific
Trait.

EPDs are reported in the actual unit that the trait is

Measured (Lbs. for growth traits).

They can be positive or negative numbers

 Effective EPDs: Examples

• Scrotal Circumference (SC)

High SC bucks sire does with earlier Puberty
• Birth Weight (BW)
Low BW bucks have more live kids
• Average Daily Gain (ADG)
Allows choice for replacements or sale of weanlings
• Carcass Merit (CM)
Allows choice for direct or wholesale Marketing
 Avg.
Avg

Array of genetic value of an individual

(EPD), adjusted trait performance
 Difference in Array for two Bucks
Full Brothers have a sample 1/2 genetics of buck & of the doe but
Not necessarily the exact same genetics
HOW ABOUT
a
BREAK?
How do you use genetic tools in
a selection program ?

Start by using available information

Evaluate Goat Breed Characteristics that

Appear to fit your marketing plan
 Average Breeding Values of Six
Dairy Goat Breeds
Breed Milk Fat Protein
Alpine 0 0.0 0.0
LaMancha -114 -0.7 -1.3
Nubian -531 4.4 -1.9
Oberhasli -476 -15.7 -14.3
Saanen 60 0.8 1.9
Toggenburg -18 -6.4 -.35
Alpine LaMancha Nubian

You would expect 114 and 531 pounds less milk

From LaMancha and Nubian as compared to Alpine
Oberhasli Saanen Toggenburg

When compared to Alpine, you would expect 60 lbs more

Milk for Saanen, 476 lbs less milk from Oberhasli and
18 lbs less milk from Toggenburg
 Infant Meat Goat Industry

• Breed Associations are growing

• Members are sending data through
membership
• Information is increasing
• Most selections must come from individual
and herd data
 Infant Meat Goat Industry

• Majority of information reports data on

Spanish (brush), Boer, Kiko, San Clemente,
Myotonic (fainting) and crossbreds
• This data provides ranges for comparison
• Emerging breed associations will help
supply needed breeding values
KIKO Spanish
Common
Meat
Goat
Breeds

BOER
San Clemente
 Boer Buck Performance Test
(Langston Univ. & Okla. State Univ., 2004)

Total Gain (lbs) 53.1 27.5-68.2

Average Daily 0.63 0.33-0.81

Gain (lbs per day)

Feed Efficiency 6.8 5.1-9.3

(lbs of feed per lb
of gain)
Loin eye area 1.95 1.29-2.54
(square inches)
 Growth Performance
(Langston Univ., 2003)
DM intake Avg Daily Feed
(lb/day) Gain (lb) Efficiency
(adg/dm feed)
Alpine 1.56 0.13 0.339

Angora 1.05 0.13 0.61

Boer 1.53 0.19 0.559

Spanish 1.13 0.08 0.32

 Carcass Performance
(Texas A&M Univ, 1999)

Feedlot Range Feedlot Range

Live Wt 83.97 45.12 73.74 40.52

Carcass 47.78 22.0 42.33 19.25

Wt
Back Fat .047 .012 .028 .012

Type 11.42 3.25 8.33 1.83

Marbling 3.35 1.70 3.06 1.80

Angora

Cashmere

Common Fibre
Goat Breeds
 Mohair Production & Value
Year Goats Production Price Value of
Clipped per Unit Production
(1000 hd) (1000 lbs) (US $) (1000 $)
2003 283 2,174 1.58 3,435
2002 283 2,174 1.58 3,432
2001 402 2,628 4.00 10,609
2000 444 2,896 3.00 10,016
1999 700 5,045 2.00 12,562
1998 931 6,814 2.00 15,341
 Putting it Together at this Point

• Develop Marketing Plan

• Use Breed Characteristics
• Evaluate Breeding Values
• Gather herd performance data
• Compare Animal Performance
• Develop Record System
 Genetic Selection or
Breeding Plans
Interpreting Adjusted
Performance Traits

These tools predict the average value of

genetic ability offered by an animal.
 Available Breeding Tools
• First: Pedigree Evaluations

• Second: Use of Heterosis

• Third: Trait Calculation & Indexes

 FIRST
87 ½ % of genetics of kid crop
is a result of last 3 bucks used!!
Buck 1 (50%)

Kid Buck 2 (25%)

87 ½ %
Buck 3 (12.5%)
Doe 1 by buck 2

Doe 2 by buck 3
 FIRST
Calculating Pedigree Estimate
EPDs
Buck (1/2 Trait
Value )
KID
MG Buck (1/4 Trait
Value)
Doe

Pedigree Est. = ½ Buck Value + ¼ MGB Value

 FIRST
Calculating Pedigree Estimate
EPDs
Toots (birth value=6.4)

KID
Caesar (birth value=8.8)

Doe

Pedigree Est. Birth value= ½ (6.4)+ ¼ (8.8)= 5.4

 SECOND
Benefits of Crossbreeding
Optimizing breed complementarity

Capitalizing Heterosis (Hybrid Vigor)

HETEROSIS (HYBRID VIGOR)

Measure of superior performance of a

trait of the ‘Crossbred individual’ over
and above the average performance
of that trait of the two parental breeds.
breeds
 % HETEROSIS

Crossbred Avg. – Parental Breeds Avg. X 100

Parental Breeds Avg.
 Heterosis
Cross Bred Boer-Spanish

Reproduction

Breed A
Growth

F1 Cross Carcass

Breed B
 Example of % heterosis:
Breed A avg. weaning weight = 45 Lbs.

Breed B avg. weaning weight = 51 Lbs.

AB crossbred avg. weaning weight = 50

% Heterosis = 50– 48 X 100 = 4%

48
 Response to Heterosis

Inversely related to the heritability of the trait

The More diverse differences of breeds used

The greater the response

 Types of Heterosis

Individual -
expressed in the XB kid

Maternal -
expressed in the doe

Paternal -
expressed in the buck
 Expected % Heterosis
Trait Individual Maternal
Kidding % 3.4 6.6
Adaptability 1.7 2.0
Birth wt. 2.7 1.6
Lbs. kid/doe 8.5 14.8
Wean Wt. 4.7 4.2
 % of Maximum Heterosis
realized in different crossbred
percentages
Crossbred % % Max. Heterosis
50: 50 100
50 : 25 : 25 100
9/16 : 7/16 87.5
3/8 : 5/8 75
5/16 : 11/16 62.5
75 : 25 50
3/16 : 13/16 37.5
7/8 : 1/8 25
 SECOND
Crossbreeding Systems

To improve:

1. Lbs. Calf weaned per cow maintained

2. Adaptability
3. Live Births
3. Other Traits of Interest
 Basic Two Way Cross

A B

AB + 8.5% Lbs. Kid/Doe

Only capture Individual Heterosis in the Kid

11
 Rotational Crossbreeding

2 Breed 3 Breed

 
A B A B


 
C

Heterosis increases Heterosis increases

lbs. kid per doe lbs. kid per doe

15% 20%
10
 Rotational-Terminal Sire Crossbreeding

A B

T +23.3 % Lbs. kid/doe

11
 Heterosis in different
crossbreeding systems
% Heterosis in XB Population

System Does Kids lbs kid

wn/doe
Two breed 0 100 8.5
2 breed crisscross 67 67 15.6
3 breed rotation 86 86 20.0
3 brd cross terminal 100 100 23.3
Backcross 100 50 19.0
 % H e te r o s is fo r L b s . W e a n /D o e
25

20
% Heterosis

15
In d + M a te r
M a ter . H e t.
10 In d . H e t .

0
I n d . H e t. M a ter . H et. In d + M a t e r

M a t e r n a l & I n d iv id u a l H e ttee r o s is is a d d ititiv

iv e
 100
Different
Breeds of
Goats
Worldwide
 4,950
Combinations

• Two Breed Crosses with 100 different

Breeds
 161,200
Combinations

• Three Breed Crosses with 100 Different

Breeds
 Use Genetic Tools and
Breeding Values or
EPDs
When Available

Identify bucks that will contribute to

Improvement in economically important traits
 PERFORMANCE
BENCHMARKS
What is the current level
of herd performance?
What direction (if any) should
the herd move?
Single Most Important Trait
In The Goat Industry ??
REPRODUCTION
 THIRD
Measure of Production/
Reproduction

Lbs kid weaned / doe exposed

= % kid crop weaned X avg. wn. Wt.

Prorates total lbs. kid weaned across all does maintained

Best measure of productivity

 THIRD
Lbs. Kid Weaned /
Doe Exposed
% kid crop Avg. W.W. Lbs. / doe

120 39 46.8
105 39 40.9
95 39 37.1
85 39 33.2
 Where Can I Find
Quality Data ?

Individual herd Owners

Breed Associations

National Dairy Program

 Establish Benchmark of
Production
Determine which traits need improvement

Select for that trait(s)

BW= birth weight

WW= weaning weight
SC= scrotal circumference
Adaptability
Identify How to Use Different
Bucks for Different Purposes

Produce Replacement Does

Terminal Cross Bucks

Kidding Ease Bucks

Carcass Merit Bucks

 Remember
Genetic Correlations
(Antagonisms)
Milk production, Growth rate (size)
 vs. Fertility
 vs. Maintenance requirements

Quality vs. Red Meat Yield

Growth rate and Calving ease
Birth weight vs. Yearling weight
 Use Trait Qualities

Heritability Heterosis

Reproduction LOW HIGH

(fertility)

Production MODERATE MODERATE

(growth)

Product HIGH LOW

(carcass)
A B

C D -1.1 22 18 43 .48

Which is the “BEST Buck”?

 Pick Your Buck
A B

B=10, W=35, S=39, M=130

B=12, W=42, S=40, M=155

C 5. 7 47 11 90 .09
D -1.1 22 18 43 .48

B=11, W=38, S=33, M=160

B=15, W=45, S=41, M=170

Brth Ww SC M
Breed Avg. 11.5 42 33 150
 GOOD BUCK?

Don’t Buy a “Billy in a Cart” USE

A Source of Quality Information
 Preliminary Selection on
Performance
Then FOCUS on:

-Structural Soundness

-Temperament

-Scrotal Circumference

-ect
STRUCTURAL SOUNDNESS

Skeletal design & how well the bones

support the animal’s body

Related to Longevity
And Adaptability

FEET
LEGS
 Correct Structures

Angle of Pastern is usually the same as Angle of Shoulder

 Breeding Systems

Develop your Marketing Plan



Choose your breeds: Breeding Values and



Characteristics
In a crossbreeding system, balance the
characteristics of the breeds used.
Choose Bucks with performance data. Use


EPDs when available.

 Crossbreeding Considerations

•Systematic crossbreeding has benefits.

–Heterosis; Complementarity

•Planning is critical.

–Use EPDs when available.

•Crossbreeding is NOT a substitute for poor

management.
 Action Plan
Selection Considerations

Use Breeding Values as a selection tool when

available.
Target kidding difficulty, growth and doe size genetics
to match environment.
Know your market --- what your herd will “produce”
Adopt a “consumer-focused” mindset towards carcass
merit (avoid misfits).
Characterize strengths and weaknesses.
Consumers
will shape
our future
and set the
Pace!