Data consisting of 38,865 records of Large White pigs were used to estimate genetic parameters for days to 100 kg (DAYS) and backfat thickness adjusted to 100 kg (BF). Covariance components were estimated by a bivariate mixed model including the fixed effect of contemporary group and the direct and maternal additive genetic, common litter and residual random effects using the Gibbs Sampling algorithm of the MTGSAM program. Estimates of direct and common litter effects for DAYS and BF were 0.33 and 0.44 and 0.09 and 0.02, respectively. Additive genetic correlation between DAYS and BF was close to zero (-0.015). The heritability estimates indicate that genetic gains may be obtained by selection and that both traits should be considered in a breeding program for the Large White breed.
age; backfat thickness; Bayesian analysis; heritability; high density interval; performance
