Genetic evaluation for longevity of Dutch dairy bulls

Parameters needed for survival analysis of longevity records of cows to predict breeding values of their sires were estimated with data on Dutch Black and White and Red and White cows. The heritabilities of functional productive life were 0.041 and 0.036 on the log scale for Black and White and Red and White cows, respectively. Although the heritabilities and other parameters differed between both breeds, the resulting breeding values were hardly affected: the correlation between breeding values of Red and White bulls using either Red and White parameters or Black and White parameters was 0.992. Genetic correlations between the direct breeding value for functional longevity (based solely on longevity of sires' daughters) and breeding values for conformation, health, and fertility traits were calculated. Several alternative selection indices were investigated using these correlations. Based on the resulting reliabilities, it was concluded that the Dutch breeding value for functional longevity should be based on longevity, rump angle, teat placement, udder depth, feet and legs, and somatic cell count. The index was expressed on a scale with average of 100 and a standard deviation of 4 points (at 80% reliability). The economic value was Dfl. 65 per genetic standard deviation, which was 0.46 times the economic value of INET (Net Milk Revenue Index). For the breeding value for functional longevity that was first published in August 1999, slight modifications in the model were made.