In his Ph.D. dissertation, Dr. Moser found the followingvariances in a population of yearling Brangus cattle measured forfat thickness with ultrasound:
                                   σ2BV = .001cm2         σ2E = .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:
                                   σ2BV = 767d2             σ2E = 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?