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Combining direct and correlated traits into an aggregate index for dairy cattle fertility

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 November 2017

Stefano Biffani ,
Fabiola Canavesi  and
Maurizio Marusi
Stefano Biffani*
Affiliation:
Italian Holstein Breeders Association, Cremona, Italy
Fabiola Canavesi
Affiliation:
Italian Holstein Breeders Association, Cremona, Italy
Maurizio Marusi
Affiliation:
Italian Holstein Breeders Association, Cremona, Italy
*
Email:[email protected]
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Extract

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.

Type
Theatre Presentations
Information
Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science , Volume 2007 , April 2007 , pp. 64
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 2007

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References

Biffani, S., Marusi, M., Biscarini, F. and Canavesi, F. 2005. Developing a genetic evaluation for fertility using angularity and milk yield as correlated traits. Interbull Bulletin 33 : 63 – 66.Google Scholar
Dekkers, J. C. M. and Gibson, J. P. 1998. Applying breeding objectives to dairy cattle improvement. J. Dairy Sci. 81 (2) : 19–35 Google Scholar
Schneeberger, M., Barwick, S. A., Crow, G. H., Hammond, K. (1992). Economic indices using breeding values predicted by BLUP J. Anim. Breed. Genet. 109 : 180 – 187.Google Scholar