Expected correlated responses in health and fertility traits to selection on production in dairy cattle

By Pryce , J. E. and Simm, G. and Veerkamp, R. F., Stocarstvo, 1999
Research Paper Web Link / URL:
Description
Genetic parameter estimates for milk yield, calving interval, and mastitis and lameness incidence were calculated from analysis of data from two UK recording schemes using two selection indices. The goal of both indices was to optimize responses to selection for production, using economic values of -0.03 o/kg, 0.60 o/kg and 4.04 o/kg for milk, butterfat and protein yields respectively. One index was used to maximize response in production (PIN) and the other was restricted to zero genetic change in several health and fertility traits (RIN). Selection on PIN was predicted to increase calving interval by 2.78 days per unit selection differential. Mastitis and lameness were expected to increase by 0.018 and 0.007 cows with one or more cases of mastitis and lameness respectively. Selection using RIN was expected to result in 11% less overall economic response in production than PIN
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