In his Ph.D. dissertation, Dr. Moser found the followingvariances in a population of yearling Brangus cattle measured forfat thickness with ultrasound:

                                   σ²_BV = .001cm²Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Ïƒ²_E = .009 cm²

           Assuming variance of gene combination value is zero, calculate:

                       a.         Phenotypicvariance of fat thickness

                       b.         Heritability offat thickness

Based on the above, is a yearlingheifer’s fat thickness a good indicator of her breeding value forthat trait? Why or why not?

In her Ph.D. dissertation, Dr. Bormannfound the following variances for age at first calving in apopulation of Angus cattle:

                                   σ²_BV = 767d²Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Ïƒ²_E = 1395 d²

           Assuming variance of gene combination value is zero, calculate:

                       a.         Phenotypicvariance of age at first calving

                       b.         Heritability ofage at first calving

Based on the above, is a yearlingheifer’s age at first calving a good indicator of her breedingvalue for that trait? Why or why not?