BREEDING VALUE OF BUFFALO BULLS AND SOURCES OF INFORMATION FOR ITS ASSESSMENT. I. PEDIGREE-BASED ASSESSMENT

Y. Ilieva, Ts. Peeva

Abstract: Two methods for pedigree-based assessment of the bulls were used: by Robertson (1959), and the
regression method, also known as path coefficient of Wright (Никоро и др., 1968).
In order to compare the results, for the Robertson method the information of different relatives was
transformed with adjustment coefficients for the effects of lactation and generation.
The model for prediction of the breeding value (PBV) of the bull by the regression method was:
PBV = b2x2+ b3x3 +……………….bnxn,The information for three pedigree levels of 62 bull participants in the breed formation process during the
period 1964 - 2006 was used.
The aim of this study was to perform an assessment of the breeding value of the bulls participating in the
breed formation based on the information for their relatives.
The following conclusions were made on the bases of the study:
For the aims of practical breeding the assessment of the PBV on the basis of the descents should be
performed on all the available information, despite the relatively low relative share of the distant relatives in
the assessment of the PBV.
Both methods were equally precise and useful for the selection of breeding animals even at their youngest
age.

Keywords: buffaloes; Bulgarian Murrah; bulls; descent; selection

Date published: 2022-08-12