Analysis of distributions and correlations of breeding value indices of Simmental bulls-sires of Austrian origin using genomic selection

The popularity of the program for genomic assessment of bulls in neighboring countries over the past few years has led to the development of molecular genetic marking methods, and the emerging possibility of genomic scanning has made it possible to simultaneously analyze thousands of loci in one genome. Such genomic scanning methods make it possible to map the main genes responsible for economically valuable traits based on the polymorphism of genetic markers. Thanks to genomic selection using various indices, the degree of identification of the value of animals increases at an early age, which determines novelty and relevance in the breeding system. This article examines the patterns of relationships and the strength of influence of leading breeding indices in the genomic assessment of sires. The object of the presented research was Simmental bulls-sires of different ages, the subject was breeding indices characterizing the productive and physiological characteristics of animals. Analysis of primary data for each bull was carried out on the basis of IBM SPSS Statistics 27 using parametric and non-parametric criteria. The normality of the distribution of the studied indices was determined (the hypothesis is retained); significant differences were revealed between groups of animals depending on age (from 6.22 to 60.43, with p = 0.01); an analysis of variance was carried out on the effect of age on the indices (GZW - 2195.1; MW and FIT - 683.4 and 597.9, with p = 0.0005); the degree of relationship between the indices was studied using the method of paired correlations (GZW and MW: +0.739; GZW and FIT: +0.628, with p = 0.0005); a regression model was built that describes 61% of cases where an increase in the age of bulls entails an increase in indices.