Association between behavioral reactivity and phenotypic performance traits in Nellore cattle under commercial production
Association between behavioral reactivity and phenotypic performance traits in Nellore cattle under commercial production
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.19137/cienvet.v28.9948Keywords:
Bos indicus, Animal behavior, Body growth, Cattle temperamentAbstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between behavioral reactivity and phenotypic traits related to growth and productive performance in Nellore cattle raised under commercial production conditions in Paraguay. Historical records from the Genetic Improvement Program of the Paraguayan Nellore Breeders Association (APCN), including animals born between 2006 and 2020, were used. After data editing and quality control procedures, 17,261 records were analyzed for yearling weight adjusted for age (PesoSaj), 8,277 for scrotal circumference adjusted for age (PEi), and 17,260 records for temperament and visual appraisal traits. Behavioral reactivity was evaluated using an ordinal scale ranging from 1 to 5 during animal handling. Statistical analyses were performed using General Linear Models (GLM) through the GLM procedure of SAS® software. Temperament significantly affected all evaluated traits (P < 0.0001). Negative associations were observed between behavioral reactivity and PesoSaj, PEi, and visual appraisal traits related to conformation, precocity, and muscling. The results suggest that animals with lower behavioral reactivity during handling tend to exhibit better phenotypic indicators of growth and productive performance under tropical production conditions. Due to the observational nature of the study, the observed associations should be interpreted as adjusted phenotypic relationships rather than direct causal or genetic associations. These findings provide relevant information regarding the relationship between behavior and productive performance in Nellore cattle raised under commercial tropical production systems.
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