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Predicting food intake in dairy heifers from part-lactation records
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 November 2017
Extract
Food accounts for 80-90% of the variable costs in dairying in the UK. In contrast to genetic improvement programmes in most other species, no account has been taken of food intake or gross efficiency In dairy breeding programmes, In the UK or elsewhere. This Is largely due to the expense and impracticality of recording food Intake in conventional dairy bull progeny testing schemes, Involving thousands of cows In many different herds. However, several studies show positive correlated responses in efficiency, following selection on milk or milk solids yield (Gibson, 1986; Korver, 1988; Persaud, Simm, Parkinson and Hill, 1990).
Recently nucleus breeding programmes based on sib testing and the use of multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) have been proposed as an alternative to national progeny testing schemes for dairy cattle Improvement (Nicholas and Smith, 1983).
- Type
- Nutrition and Management of Dairy Cows
- Information
- Copyright
- Copyright © The British Society of Animal Production 1990