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Related Experiment Videos

Correlations between production traits in first lactation Holstein cows.

R I Cue1, H G Monardes, J F Hayes

  • 1Department of Animal Science, Macdonald College of McGill University, Ste Anne de Bellevue, Québec, Canada.

Journal of Dairy Science
|October 1, 1987
PubMed
Summary

Genetic traits in Holstein cows show positive correlations for milk, fat, and protein yield. Somatic cell count has negative genetic correlations with fat and protein percentages, indicating potential for breeding healthier cows.

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Area of Science:

  • Animal Genetics
  • Dairy Science
  • Quantitative Genetics

Background:

  • Understanding genetic and phenotypic relationships among production traits and health indicators is crucial for dairy cattle breeding.
  • Somatic cell count (SCC) is a key indicator of udder health and milk quality in dairy cows.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To estimate genetic and phenotypic correlations between milk yield, fat (yield and percent), protein (yield and percent), and somatic cell count in first-lactation Holstein cows.
  • To assess the potential for simultaneous genetic improvement of production traits and udder health.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a multivariate restricted maximum likelihood (REML) algorithm.
  • Analyzed data from 18,189 daughters of 257 sires across 928 herds.
  • Estimated heritabilities and genetic/phenotypic correlations among traits.

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Main Results:

  • Positive genetic correlations (0.73 to 0.88) were observed between pairs of yield traits (milk, fat, protein).
  • Phenotypic correlations between yield traits and somatic cell count were small and negative.
  • Negative genetic correlations (-0.11) were found between somatic cell count and fat percent, and protein percent.
  • Heritabilities for milk yield, fat yield, and protein yield were 0.36, 0.38, and 0.25, respectively.

Conclusions:

  • Breeding for increased milk, fat, and protein yield may not negatively impact somatic cell count and could potentially improve it, especially concerning fat and protein percentages.
  • Holstein sires' genetic contributions influence both production and udder health indicators.