The objectives of this study were: (1) to estimate the effects of certain non-genetic sources of variation in weight, gnde, and condition of beef cows; (2) to estimate the heritability of weight, grade. and condition of beef cows; and (3) to estimate the genetic, phenot;rpic, and environmental correlations between weight, grade, and condition of beef cows.

Weights, grades., and condition scores taken on 1371 Angus cows were used to evaluate the genetic and environmental nature of these traits. This sample of cows represented 365 sire groups.

Four models were used in this study:

1. Model A - Cow weight and grade were considered dependent variables; herds and sires within herds were considered random independent variables; and season, age, condition, nursing status, and their interactions were considered fixed independent variables. Least-squares procedures involving Henderson's (1953) Method II were used to adjust tor fixed effects and to obtain variance and covax-iance components. Heritability estimate and correlation coefficients were obtained by paternal half-sib analysis.

2. Model B differed from Model A in that condition 3 score was considered a dependent variable instead of an independent variable.

3. Model C was the same as Model A except that the coefficients (kₒ and k₂) for the within sire (σw²) component of variance included in the among sire and herd adjusted expected mean squares (EMS) were considered unity whereas as in Model A they were calculated according to Method II of Henderson.

4. Model D - Heritability estimates were computed by doubling the estimate of intra-sire regression of offspring on dam from 198 dam-daughter pairs representing 63 sire groups. The dam-daughter pairs were part of the group or 1371 cows.

The results of this study indicated that season, age, condition score, nursing status, and age by nursing status remain significant when condition score was not considered as a fixed environmental effect (Model B). However, a comparison of the magnitude of the mean squares for these effects in Models A and B indicated that season, age, and nursing status are highly confounded with condition score.

Season and flesh condition were found to have a significant effect on grade of beef cows when they were included in the same model (Model A). When condition score was not included (Model B) age had a significant effect on grade.

Age, season, and nursing status were found to have a significant effect on flesh condition (Model B).

Paternal half-sib heritability estimates for cow weight using Models A, B, and C were 0.38 ± 0.11, 0.29 ± 0.11, and 0.56.± 0.11, respectively. Estimates for grade from the same models were 0.49 ± 0.11, 0.43 ± 0.11, and 0.67 ±0.12, in that order. Estimates from Model A should be the most reliable. The differences in the estimates from Models A, B, and C, illustrate that variation in heritability estimates is not entirely due to genetic differences. Considerable variation can occur depending on how much adjustment has been made to fixed effects, and the methods used in estimating the variance and covariance components.

The heritability estimates of cow weight and grade obtained by intra-sire regression of offspring on dam were 0.22 ± 0.14 and 0.10 ± 0.06, respectively.

The paternal half-sib heritability estimate for condition score was 0.31 ± 0.11, which implies that adjusting cow weights and grades for condition may actually involve adjusting for genetic differences as well as differences due to environmental influences. The correlation between weight and grade or beef oowe was found to be largely genetic whereas the correlation between condition and cow weight or grade was primarily environmental.