Improvement in genetic evaluation of female fertility in dairy cattle using multiple-trait models including milk production traits1

In January 2006, ANAFI (Italian Holstein Breeders Association) introduced a genetic evaluation for fertility based on a multiple-trait animal model (Biffani et al., 2005), which included the following traits: days from calving to first insemination (DTFS), calving interval (CI), first-service non return rate to 56 d (NR56), angularity (ANG) and mature equivalent milk yield at 305 d (ME305). Breeding values have been subsequently combined in an aggregate index (T), with the breeding goal to increase conception rate (CR). This paper will show how the breeding values have been combined into an aggregate index. At the same time the efficiency of selecting on alternative aggregate indexes versus the official aggregate index is presented.

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Application of a multiple-trait, multiple-country genetic evaluation model for female fertility traits

Journal of Dairy Science ◽

10.3168/jds.2010-3437 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 93 (12) ◽

pp. 5977-5986 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

M.A. Nilforooshan ◽

J.H. Jakobsen ◽

W.F. Fikse ◽

B. Berglund ◽

H. Jorjani

Keyword(s):

Evaluation Model ◽

Genetic Evaluation ◽

Female Fertility ◽

Multiple Trait ◽

Fertility Traits

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Genetic and Environmental Correlations Among Female Fertility Traits and Milk Production in Different Parities of Swedish Red and White Dairy Cattle

Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica Section A – Animal Science ◽

10.1080/090647001300004745 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 51 (1) ◽

pp. 7-14 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Anki Roxström ◽

Erling Strandberg ◽

Britt Berglund ◽

Ulf Emanuelson ◽

Jan Philipsson

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cattle ◽

Milk Production ◽

Female Fertility ◽

Environmental Correlations ◽

Fertility Traits

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Multivariate REML estimates of genetic parameters of monthly test day milk production traits in first parity Iranian Holstein cows with the use of a repeatability test day model

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s1752756200012989 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 2003 ◽

pp. 139-139

Author(s):

H. Farhangfar ◽

P. Rowlinson ◽

M. B. Willis

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cattle ◽

Milk Production ◽

Genetic Parameters ◽

Large Population ◽

Genetic Evaluation ◽

Major Influence ◽

Production Traits ◽

Milk Production Traits ◽

Breeding Values ◽

Repeatability Test

In practical dairy cattle breeding programmes, usually a small number of animals (selected from a large population) have a major influence on the genetic gain of the concerned population over a period of time (Hofer, 1998). Candidate animals are usually selected based on their breeding values that are predicted by using animal models. In order to predict breeding values, genetic parameters (calculated from variance and covariance components) of the traits under consideration should be estimated to be used in genetic evaluation systems either based on lactation or test day models. The use of test day models has increasingly become of interest in genetic evaluation of dairy cattle due to the fact that they can take more accurate account of the effects of environmental factors influencing test day milk yield over the course of lactation. The main objective of this study was to use a repeatability test day animal model to estimate genetic parameters of monthly test day milk production traits in first parity Iranian Holsteins.

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