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Genotype x environment interaction in dairy cattle and its role in breeding programmes
1The Laboratory of Animal Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, The Hebrew University, P.O. Box 12, 76100, Rehovot, Israel.
Genotype x Environment Interaction (GxE) significantly impacts dairy cattle milk yield. Sire evaluation should include successive lactation data beyond the first to accurately assess genetic potential and daughter performance.
Area of Science:
- Animal Breeding and Genetics
- Dairy Science
- Quantitative Genetics
Background:
- Genotype x Environment Interaction (GxE) is crucial in animal breeding.
- Understanding GxE effects on milk yield is vital for dairy herd improvement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate GxE on milk yield in Israeli dairy cattle.
- To evaluate sire performance across diverse environmental conditions.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 80,111 Israeli dairy herdbook records (1973-1977).
- Assessment of genotypes via average daughter performance.
- Environmental factors included production level, lactation number, and time periods.
Main Results:
- GxE was low when environment was production level.
- Significant GxE found with lactation number and time periods as environments.
- Genotype x Lactation interaction complicated sire differences based on first lactation.
Conclusions:
- Sire evaluation requires data from successive lactations, not just the first.
- Daughter performance across lactations reflects a sire's 'lactation development' and 'maturing rhythm'.
- Selection for sire maturing rhythm offers a novel breeding tool.
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