Effect of conformation on the auction price of Simmental and Brown Swiss heifers

Using data of 424 pregnant Simmental (dual purpose) and 463 Brown Swiss heifers, various effects were analysed regarding their effect on auction prices. Data were collected at 8 Austrian auction sales for breeding stock in October and November 2001. General traits accounted for were place of auction, group of buyer, sales class, total merit index of sire and insemination bull, average milk production of dam and herd, proportion of foreign genes and gestation length. Besides, the effect of linear type traits and the colour of the animals was emphasized in this study. Place of auction, group of buyer and sales class significantly affected the auction price of both breeds. In Simmental heifers the total merit index of sire, the proportion of Red Friesian genes and the milk yield of the dam were significant. In Brown Swiss heifers the total merit index of the insemination bull was also significant. The colour was significant for Simmental only. While significant effects on the auction price were found for the linear traits frame, muscling and udder, feet and legs had no significant effect on the price. However, trends for higher prices for heifers with better classification marks were observed. From the results economic weights for linear traits were derived. Economic weights of 61.2 € and 115 € were calculated per genetic standard deviation of conformation. Analysed with a reduced model emphasizing linear traits, economic values of 99.8 € and 206.7 € for Simmental and Brown Swiss were found. Applied to the total merit index the economic weight of conformation lies between 4 – 7% in Simmental and 7 – 13% in Brown Swiss.

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