Evaluation of the Genetic Relationship between Longevity and Growth, Milk Yield and Fertility Traits in the Sahiwal Breed in Kenya

In New Zealand, beef-breeding cows are required to wean a calf every year, and the weight of calf at weaning is a major driver of the efficiency of the breeding cow. Weaning weight can be increased by increasing milk yield of the cow such as by incorporating dairy breed genetics into the breeding cows, and by having early born calves which are, therefore, older at weaning. This experiment examined postpartum anoestrous interval and pregnancy rate to rebreeding in 109 beef-breed and beef-cross-dairy breed first-lactation cows suckling their own calves. Cows with a Jersey component had a shorter postpartum anoestrous interval than cows without (90 versus 97–101 days; P < 0.05). Pregnancy rates after 42 days of joining with bulls were 83–97% for straight-bred Angus, Angus-cross-Friesian, Angus-cross-Jersey and Angus-cross-Kiwicross (Friesian-cross-Jersey) cows, but only 41% for straight-bred Friesian cows (P < 0.05). For every day younger heifers reached puberty, postpartum anoestrous interval was reduced by 0.07 ± 0.02 days (P < 0.01) indicating that age at puberty could be used as a predictor of subsequent fertility. The Jersey-component cows offered advantages in fertility traits and may be worthwhile incorporating into beef-breeding cow herds.

Download Full-text

The differences in production of Holstein Friesian and Holstein Friesian x Norwegian Red F1 crossbreeds

Linear vs piecewise Weibull model for genetic evaluation of sires for longevity in Simmental cattle ◽

10.15567/mljekarstvo.2020.0406 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 70 (4) ◽

pp. 284-291

Author(s):

Stipo Benak ◽

Tina Bobić ◽

Vesna Gantner ◽

Domagoj Eman ◽

Maja Gregić ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Milk Yield ◽

Lower Number ◽

Conception Rate ◽

Least Square ◽

Production Traits ◽

Retained Placenta ◽

Service Period ◽

Holstein Friesian ◽

Fertility Traits ◽

Insight Into

The aim of this study was to compare the production, health and fertility traits of Holstein Friesian (HF) and their F1 crosses with Norwegian Red cows (HF x NRF F1). Only the production data’s from finished first lactations of the total 57 HF x NRF F1 crosses and 401 HF cows, and for health and fertility traits of 120 HF x NRF F1 crosses and 255 HF cows, were used. The differences in production traits were tested by a least square means using the GLM procedure in SAS. The milk yield in both lactation (standard 305 days and full lactation) were higher in HF x NRF F1 crosses for approximately 400 kg, but without significance. The differences in production traits (fat and protein (kg and %)) were significant (p<0.001; p<0.05) with higher values for HF x NRF F1 crosses comparing to HF cows, with exception of protein in full lactation. Regarding the fertility traits, HF x NRF F1 crosses had a better conception rate (+1.58 %), a lower number of the insemination per pregnancy (-0.43) and a shorter duration of the service period (-22.2) comparable to HF cows. F1 crosses had better health traits (with except for hoofs problem) comparing to HF cows, they had less cows with mastitis (-11.9 %), ketosis (-0.5 %), retained placenta (-4.8 %) and dislocation of the abomasum (-1.0 %), respectively. Because of the fact that all results were obtained on the basis of data from the first lactation cows, it is necessary to do more analyses of all studied traits in subsequent lactations, in order to get a much clearer insight into the studied issues.

Download Full-text

Genetic aspects of common health disorders and measures of fertility in Holstein Friesian dairy cattle

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s1357729800008559 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 65 (3) ◽

pp. 353-360 ◽

Cited By ~ 131

Author(s):

J. E. Pryce ◽

R. F. Veerkamp ◽

R. Thompson ◽

W. G. Hill ◽

G. Simm

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Genetic Parameters ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Economic Importance ◽

Milk Fever ◽

Holstein Friesian ◽

Health Disorders ◽

Selection For ◽

Fertility Traits

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for measures offertility and several health disorders in dairy cows. Data consisted of 33732 records, of which 9163 were on heifers, on 305-day milk yield, health disorders and inseminations. Measures offertility were calculated from calving and insemination dates and included calving interval, days to first service and conception to first service. Health disorders included milk fever, mastitis and lameness. Genetic and phenotypic (co)variances were estimated using restricted maximum likelihood. Heritability estimates for both health disorders and fertility traits were low, ranging from 0·003 to 0·080. All genetic correlations between 305-day milk yield and health and fertility traits, in cows and heifers together, were antagonistic implying that selection for milk yield may have caused a deterioration in health and fertility. The unfavourable correlation between milk yield and health and fertility traits, plus the economic importance of the latter, suggests that future breeding goals should be expanded to include some health disorders and fertility.

Download Full-text

Genetics of milk yield and fertility traits in Holstein-Friesian cattle on large-scale Kenyan farms.

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.2527/2001.7971742x ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 79 (7) ◽

pp. 1742 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

J M Ojango ◽

G E Pollott

Keyword(s):

Milk Yield ◽

Large Scale ◽

Holstein Friesian ◽

Fertility Traits ◽

Friesian Cattle

Download Full-text

Genetic relationships of fertility traits with test-day milk yield and fat-to-protein ratio in tropical smallholder dairy farms

Animal Science Journal ◽

10.1111/asj.12472 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 87 (5) ◽

pp. 627-637 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Sayan Buaban ◽

Monchai Duangjinda ◽

Mitsuyoshi Suzuki ◽

Yutaka Masuda ◽

Jureeratn Sanpote ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Milk Yield ◽

Genetic Relationships ◽

Dairy Farms ◽

Protein Ratio ◽

Smallholder Dairy ◽

Fertility Traits ◽

Smallholder Dairy Farms

Download Full-text

Genetic trend estimates for milk yield production and fertility traits of the Girolando cattle in Brazil

Livestock Science ◽

10.1016/j.livsci.2016.06.009 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 190 ◽

pp. 113-122 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Ali William Canaza-Cayo ◽

Jaime Araújo Cobuci ◽

Paulo Sávio Lopes ◽

Robledo de Almeida Torres ◽

Marta Fonseca Martins ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Milk Yield ◽

Genetic Trend ◽

Yield Production ◽

Fertility Traits

Download Full-text

Genetic Parameters of First Lactation Milk Yield and Fertility Traits in Brown Swiss Cattle

Annals of Animal Science ◽

10.2478/aoas-2014-0038 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 14 (3) ◽

pp. 545-557 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Aziz Şahin ◽

Zafer Ulutaş ◽

Asiye Yýlmaz Adkinson ◽

Robert W. Adkinson

Keyword(s):

Milk Yield ◽

Genetic Parameters ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Gestation Length ◽

Yield Traits ◽

Dry Period ◽

Brown Swiss ◽

Lactation Length ◽

Fertility Traits ◽

Brown Swiss Cattle

AbstractThis research was carried out to estimate variance components and genetic parameters for first lactation milk yield (lactation milk yield, 305-day milk yield, lactation length, and dry period) and some fertility traits (calving interval, gestation length and number of services per conception) of Brown swiss cattle reared at konuklar state farm located in konya province, turkey. data were collected on milk yield traits of 3, 769 first lactation Brown Swiss cattle during the period from 1990 to 2008. Variance components, genetic parameters, breeding values, and genetic correlations were estimated using multiple trait derivative free restricted maximum likelihood (mtdfreml) fitting an animal model. Heritability estimates were 0.26, 0.25, 0.10, 0.06, 0.07, 0.06 and 0.03 for lactation milk yield (lmy), 305-day milk yield (305 dmy), lactation length (ll), dry period (dp), calving interval (ci), gestation length (Gl), and number of services per conception (nsc), respectively. Genetic correlations between milk yield and fertility traits ranged from 0.31 to 0.95 and phenotypic correlations ranged from –0.026 to 0.75. Breeding values were estimated and used to characterize genetic trends across the time period investigated. The results showed that the first lactation milk yield traits can be used as selection criteria for development of effective genetic improvement programme in turkish Brown swiss cattle. in addition, the results indicate the essential for scheming an effective schedule for growth of genetic variability to improve the milk yield traits of Brown swiss cattle in this farm by way of selection.

Download Full-text