Analysis of genetic and phenotypic trends for body weight in various age of South Khorasan cashmere goats using a Bayesian approach

In this study, genetic parameters and (co) variance components were estimated for weights at birth, 3, 6, 9 month, daily weight gain and Keliber ratio from birth to 3 month and also form 3 month to 9 month. Records of 2544 kids, the progeny of 149 sires and 851 dams were used to analysis data by MTGSAM program. Six different animal models were fitted for all traits. The most appropriate model for weight at 6, 9 and daily weight gain and Keliber ratio form 3 to 9 month was model 2. Estimated direct heritability varied from 0.01 to 0.36, which was minimum (0.01) for daily weight gain and Keliber ratio from birth to 3 month and maximum (0.36) for birth weight. The genetic and phenotypic trends for all traits were estimated near to zero and non-significant. Generally, differences between estimated genetic trends for these traits and estimated values of other studies, is due to difference in animal breeding standard followed by different program selection, difference between models and calculation method, effects of environment, interaction between genetic and environmental, nutrition and climate conditions.