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Genetic parameters for health traits using data collected from genomic information nucleus herds
M Abdelsayed1, M Haile-Mariam2, J E Pryce3
1Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBiosciences, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia; Holstein Australia, Hawthorn East, Victoria 3122, Australia.
Journal of Dairy Science
|October 9, 2017
Summary
Developing genomic breeding values for dairy cattle health traits in Australia is feasible using farmer data. Despite low heritability, genetic variation allows progress, with promising reliability for mastitis and overall disease traits.
Area of Science:
- Animal Genetics
- Dairy Science
- Quantitative Genetics
Background:
- Data availability has historically limited the development of breeding values for animal health traits in Australia.
- A national genomic information nucleus (Ginfo) was established with approximately 100 herds to improve data collection.
- Mastitis, reproductive issues, lameness, and metabolic disorders are the most frequently recorded health problems in Australian dairy herds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of creating genomic breeding values for dairy cattle health traits using farmer-collected data.
- To leverage the Ginfo nucleus for developing novel genomic breeding values, particularly for health-related traits.
Main Methods:
- Utilized farmer-collected health records from the Ginfo nucleus herds.
- Estimated heritability for key health traits (mastitis, reproductive, lameness, metabolic disorders) using pedigree and genomic analyses.
- Calculated genetic correlations between health traits, milk production, type, fertility, survival, and somatic cell count.
- Evaluated the reliability of genomic predictions in a reference population of 11,458 cows.
Main Results:
- Heritability estimates for health traits were generally low, ranging from 0.005 to 0.06.
- Sufficient genetic variation exists for potential genetic gain, indicated by coefficients of variation (3% to 26.3%).
- Genetic correlations were unfavorable with milk production and type but favorable with fertility, survival, and somatic cell count.
- Genomic prediction reliability was below 30% but showed promise for mastitis (∼30%) and all-disease traits (∼28%) when sires had daughter data.
Conclusions:
- Developing genomic breeding values for dairy cattle health traits in Australia is feasible using data from the Ginfo nucleus.
- While heritability is low, genetic variation supports progress, and reliability is improving, especially with daughter information.
- Further research is needed to enhance the reliability of health breeding values for Australian dairy populations.
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