Estimation of Genetic, Phenotypic and Environment Trends for Some Growth Traits in Baluchi Sheep

Data collected of lambs born from 1982 to 2006 in herd number one of Baluchi Sheep of Mashad Abbass Abad Sheep breeding station were used for the analysis. Animal breeding values were predicted using univariate analysis based on animal model. Genetic, phenotypic and environmental trends were estimated by regression of mean breeding value, mean phenotypic value and difference between phenotypic and breeding values on year, respectively. Total genetic progress of 22 years for birth weight (BW) and 24 years for weaning weight (WW), 6-month weight (6W), 9-month weight (9W) and 12-month weigh were 0.011, 1.488, 2.066, 2.062 and 2.034 kg, respectively. Genetic trend for BW, WW, 6W, 9W and 12W were 0.7±0.06, 55±1, 72±2, 77±2 and 88±3 gr per year, respectively. The phenotypic trends for BW, WW, 6W, 9W and 12W were 4±1, 3±9, -11±11, 15±11 and 118±14 gr per year and environmental trends estimates for respective weights were 3±1, -52±8, -83±9, -62±9 and 29±12 gr per year, respectively.