A Genetic Characterization of the Hays Converter

• Main Author: Fleming, Allison
• Other Authors: Miller, Stephen P.
• Language: en
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: Hays Converter; Beef Cattle; Genetic Diversity; Inbreeding; Genetic Parameters; Genetic Trends; Imputation; Breed Composition
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10214/6266

This thesis gives a genetic overview of the Hays Converter, a beef breed developed in Canada in the 1950s. Pedigree records were examined to determine genetic diversity and inbreeding. A positive rate of inbreeding and a decrease in the amount of genetic diversity was found. Single trait and bivariate animal models were used to determine genetic parameters and trends for growth, ultrasound, and carcass traits. An increasing genetic trend was found for growth traits which the breed was selected for. The accuracy of imputation from 6k to 50k marker panels using a reference group of 100 animals was determined. Imputation was performed with a high accuracy (>0.93) for pure Hays Converter animals, but was found to be unsuccessful when individuals had large contributions from additional breeds. This work forms the foundation for future management and advance of the breed while outlining its history and progress. === Daniel P. Hays