Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Genetic evaluation for herd life in Canada

L Jairath1, J C Dekkers, L R Schaeffer

  • 1Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph, ON, Canada.

Journal of Dairy Science
|April 9, 1998
PubMed
Summary

National genetic evaluation methods for Canadian Holstein sires were developed to predict herd life. These methods combine direct survival data and indirect conformation traits for improved genetic assessments of sire longevity.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Potential effects of hormonal synchronized breeding on genetic evaluations of fertility traits in dairy cattle: A simulation study.

Journal of dairy science·2021
Same author

Invited review: Advances and applications of random regression models: From quantitative genetics to genomics.

Journal of dairy science·2019
Same author

Necessary changes to improve animal models.

Journal of animal breeding and genetics = Zeitschrift fur Tierzuchtung und Zuchtungsbiologie·2018
Same author

Measuring the precision of genetic parameters by a simulation technique.

TAG. Theoretical and applied genetics. Theoretische und angewandte Genetik·2013
Same author

The effect of repeated cycles of selection on genetic variance, heritability, and response.

TAG. Theoretical and applied genetics. Theoretische und angewandte Genetik·2013
Same author

Quantitative genetic variance associated with chromosomal markers in segregating populations.

TAG. Theoretical and applied genetics. Theoretische und angewandte Genetik·2013

Area of Science:

  • Animal Breeding and Genetics
  • Dairy Science

Background:

  • Herd life is a critical economic trait in dairy cattle breeding.
  • Accurate genetic evaluation for herd life is essential for improving dairy cow longevity and sustainability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and implement a national genetic evaluation system for herd life in Canadian Holstein sires.
  • To integrate direct measures of survival and indirect measures from conformation traits into a comprehensive genetic evaluation.

Main Methods:

  • A multiple-trait animal model was used to analyze survival data for the first three lactations (direct herd life).
  • An index of sire evaluations for conformation traits (mammary system, feet and legs, rump, capacity) was used for indirect herd life.
  • A multiple-trait sire model, employing across-country evaluation methodology, combined direct and indirect genetic evaluations.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • Sire evaluations for herd life were expressed as estimated transmitting abilities (ETAs) in number of lactations.
  • ETAs ranged from 2.31 to 3.43 lactations, with an average set at three lactations.
  • The developed method provides a robust national genetic evaluation for Holstein sire herd life.

Conclusions:

  • The integrated approach effectively combines direct and indirect genetic information for improved herd life evaluation.
  • This national genetic evaluation system enhances the selection of Canadian Holstein sires for greater functional longevity.