Texas FFA Livestock Judging PracticeTest

Which trait in sheep is noted to have the lowest heritability estimate?

1. Growth rate

2. Wool quality

3. Feed efficiency

4. Lambing ease

The correct answer is: Feed efficiency

Feed efficiency is noted to have the lowest heritability estimate among the traits listed for sheep. Heritability is a measure of how much of the variation in a trait can be attributed to genetic differences among individuals in a population. A low heritability estimate indicates that environmental factors play a larger role in influencing that trait's expression compared to genetic factors. In the context of sheep, traits like growth rate and wool quality typically exhibit higher heritability because those traits are more directly linked to genetic factors. Lambing ease is also generally seen as moderately heritable, as it can be influenced by genetics related to birth weight and maternal traits. However, feed efficiency, which encompasses how well an animal converts feed into body weight or wool production, is heavily influenced by management practices, feed quality, and other environmental factors. Thus, the variability seen in feed efficiency is less dependent on genetic predisposition, leading to its classification as having the lowest heritability estimate among the traits listed.