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AIPL
SUPPLEMENTAL
REPORT
(01-05)

Estimated 2005 Genetic Base Changes for Goats - Production and Type Traits

G. R. Wiggans and J. R. Wright
Animal Improvement Programs Laboratory, ARS-USDA, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350
301-504-8334 (voice) ~ 301-504-8092 (fax) ~ rlaipl@aipl.arsusda.gov ~ http://aipl.arsusda.gov/

The base change for each trait is defined as the difference between the average predicted transmitting ability (PTA) of does born in 1995 and the average PTA of does born in 2000. It is an indication of the genetic trend for that trait. A negative value indicates that PTAs for that trait increased from 1995 to 2000 so therefore new PTAs will decrease by that amount because of the base change. Conversely, a positive value indicates PTAs for that trait experienced a decline from 1995 to 2000 so therefore PTA values will increase by that amount due to the base change.

The production estimates were calculated following July 2004 goat evaluations and the type estimates were calculated following the December 2004 type evaluations. Actual base changes may be slightly different when calculated in July 2005 and December 2005, respectively.

The following estimates are an approximation of what the base changes for production traits of Goats will be in July 2005:

Trait Alpine Experimental LaMancha Nubian Oberhasli Saanen Toggenburg
Milk -46.3 12.7 -6.7 -9.3 -43.5 -62.2 19.0
Fat -1.3 -0.2 -0.4 -0.6 -1.8 -1.9 0.5
Protein -1.3 0.1 -0.3 -0.6 -1.1 -1.8 0.3
Fat percent 0.018 -0.033 -0.007 -0.010 -0.010 0.014 -0.008
Protein percent 0.006 -0.014 -0.006 -0.014 0.011 0.005 -0.011

The following estimates are an approximation of what the base changes for type traits of Goats will be in December 2005:

Trait All breeds
Final Score -0.13
Stature -1.65
Strength -0.36
Dairyness -0.17
Teat diameter -0.24
Rear legs 0.20
Rump angle -0.70
Rump width -0.34
Fore udder attachment -0.01
Rear udder height 0.22
Rear udder arch -0.03
Udder depth 0.02
Suspensory ligament -0.36
Teat placement -0.63