Auction price of Texel, Suffolk and German white-headed mutton rams: A genetic-statistical study

In this study, the impact of various traits and effects on auction price of Texel, Suffolk and German white-headed mutton rams was determined. Furthermore, (co)variance components between auction price and performance traits recorded at licensing were estimated. Data from 1988 to 2007 were extracted from the recording database of the Sheep Breeding Organisation in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. Auction prices of 1133 Texel, 373 Suffolk and 341 German white-headed mutton rams from the year 2003 to 2007 were analysed. General Linear Models and Multiple Regression Analysis were used to identify the impact of traits and effects on the auction price. Estimation of (co)variance components was carried out using multivariate animal model. From the traits recorded at licensing, live weight, followed by type traits of conformation and muscle mass, had the highest impact on the auction price. Also the effects of breed, PrP (Prion Protein) genotype, and owner of the ram influenced the auction price of rams significantly. A moderate genetic contribution of auction price, with favourable genetic correlations to all collected performance traits (average daily gain from birth until licensing, muscle depth, fat depth, conformation, muscle mass and wool quality), was estimated. Genetic correlations were 0.42, 0.34, 0.17, 0.49, 0.39 and 0.23, respectively. The results showed a high influence of live weight of animal on auction price of the rams contrary to very low influence of carcass quality traits measured with ultrasound technology.