scholarly journals INFLUENCE OF BODY SIZE ON THE BIOLOGICAL EFFICIENCY OF COWS: A REVIEW

1976 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 613-647 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. MORRIS ◽  
J. W. WILTON
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Experimental Design ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Weight Change ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Biological Efficiency ◽  
Breeding Herd ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Relationship

Relationships between body size and the biological efficiency of cows are reviewed in three parts: (1) size and biological efficiency of milk production; (2) size and biological efficiency of beef production; (3) a discussion of some important factors in experimental design, when cattle are of different sizes. Ranges of correlation estimates from different experiments were not always small. The overall relationship between milk yield and body size was 0.33 within breeds of dairy cattle; genetic correlations averaged 0.14. The average correlation of measures of body size with dairy efficiency (milk yield/feed intake) was −0.18, and genetic correlations averaged −0.37. Overall correlations between dairy efficiency and milk yield were large and positive (0.81), and genetic correlations averaged 0.89. In dairy cattle the relationship between milk production and body weight change during lactation was negative. Similarly, in beef cattle, the relationship between calf weaning weight and weight change of cow during lactation was negative. Weaning and yearling weights of calves generally increased with weights of their dams. Biological efficiencies of cow and calf to weaning or yearling weights were superior for small cows, where only combined cow and calf feed requirements and calf weights were considered. When feed requirements for replacements to the breeding herd were included (with extra salvage weight of saleable beef from the breeding herd as cow weight increased), biological efficiency was affected little by cow size unless reproductive performance also changed. Problem areas related to experimental design were the definition of size of cow, the definition of efficiency, and the selection of equitable diets for any given stage in the life cycle.

scholarly journals Characteristics of the productive-economic indicators of cows of Yaroslavl breed of different genotypes

2020 ◽  
pp. 43-52
Author(s):  
N. Kosyachenko ◽  
Marina Abramova ◽  
M. Lapina
Keyword(s):  
Protein Content ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Practical Significance ◽  
Holstein Breed ◽  
Blood Fraction ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract. Aim. The study of the influence of crossbriding on the growth and development of heifers and subsequent productive and reproductive qualities of cows on the first lactation. Methods. Using statistical methods, correlation analysis and ANOVA for evaluated genetic indicators of economic-valuable traits of dairy cattle. In particular was studied live weight of heifers from birth to 18 months, first insemination age and first fecundation age, live weight at fecundation, frequency of insemination, first calving age, days open, live weight at first lactation, milk yield for 305 days (kg), fat (%, kg) and protein (%, kg) in milk. Results. Relationship between productive indicators and the genotype of the animal is established. When assessing the strength of the influence of the factor «blood on the Holstein breed» it was found that the greatest impact can be traced at the age of 6 and 18 months, and is respectively 12.7 % and 17.1 %.The reproductive qualities of the first-calf cows decreased with the increase percent of blood in the Holstein breed. Evaluation of the impact of crossbreeding on milk production at first lactation has revealed significant strong influence on milk yield for 305 days of first lactation, and related signs the amount of milk fat and protein. According to qualitative indicators, the low influence of the Holstein blood fraction was found, while to a greater extent on the fat content than on the protein content in milk. Evaluation of phenotypic and genotypic correlations of milk yield and quality components of milk revealed average negative phenotypic and low negative genotypic correlation in all groups. The exception was in heifers of Yaroslavl breed with percent of Holstein blood less than 50 %, in which the relationship of yield x protein was positive. The relationship between milk yield and fat and protein content in milk has the opposite moderate character and strength. Practical significance. Studies was established that breeding of animals of Holstein and Yaroslavl breeds in one herd allows to receive an optimum ratio of milk production with optimal percentage fat and protein. For this herd among animals of the improved genotypes of the Yaroslavl breed, the use of genotypes with a percent of blood in the Holstein breed from 75.1 % to 87.6 % is optimal, which should be taken into account when selecting bulls to the breeding program.

scholarly journals Genetic relationship between type traits, number of lactations initiated, and lifetime milk performance in Czech Fleckvieh cattle

2017 ◽  
Vol 62 (No. 12) ◽  
pp. 501-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Novotný ◽  
J. Frelich ◽  
J. Beran ◽  
L. Zavadilová
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Genetic Relationship ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Bivariate Analysis ◽  
Dual Purpose ◽  
Lifetime Performance ◽  
Dual Purpose Cattle ◽  
Type Traits ◽  
Milk Performance

Genetic relationship was analyzed between type traits and longevity measures in dual-purpose cattle. Data from 91 486 Czech Fleckvieh cows first calved between 2003 and 2009 were used. Longevity was defined as the actual number of lactations initiated per cow and also as functional longevity, which incorporated an adjustment to account for variation in voluntary culling based upon milk production. Lifetime performance was defined as cumulative milk production through the 6<sup>th</sup> parity. All cows were scored for conformation traits during their first lactation. Genetic correlations between these traits and longevity measures were estimated by bivariate analysis using the DMU variance component program package. Type trait heritabilities ranged from 0.30 to 0.59, while heritabilities for longevity and functional longevity were 0.06 and 0.05, respectively. Heritability of lifetime performance was 0.08. Genetic correlations between type traits and longevity measures ranged from low to intermediate values. Genetic correlations of the measured body size traits to the real and functional longevity ranged from –0.06 to –0.29, for udder traits from –0.02 to 0.33, and for foot and leg traits from –0.03 to 0.17. Genetic correlations between the measured body size traits and lifetime performance ranged from –0.03 to –0.30, for udder traits from 0.05 to 0.47, for foot and leg traits from –0.07 to 0.15. Genetic correlations of composite trait scores for frame, muscularity, feet and legs, and udder with longevity traits ranged from –0.20 to 0.41 and for lifetime performance –0.14 to 0.51. The highest genetic correlations between a type trait and functional longevity were for composite udder score (0.25), feet and legs (0.26), and udder depth (0.33), suggesting that these traits could serve as indicators of functional longevity. We conclude that selection based upon easily and inexpensively measured type traits could improve functional longevity of cows as well as lifetime milk production.

Genetic and phenotypic parameter estimates between production, feed intake, feed efficiency, body weight and linear type traits in first lactation Holsteins

1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (4) ◽  
pp. 425-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. W. Kennedy ◽  
J. C. M. Dekkers ◽  
R. K. Moore ◽  
L. Jairath
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Total Energy ◽  
Energy Intake ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Total Energy Intake ◽  
Type Traits

Production and feed intake data on 36 115 first lactation Holstein cows obtained from Quebec Dairy Herd Analysis Service were combined with conformation data from the Holstein Association of Canada to estimate genetic correlations among production, energy intake, and conformation traits. Traits considered were 305-d milk yield, 305-d grain energy and total energy intake, feed efficiency (fat corrected milk yield/total energy intake), body weight at calving, capacity, size, stature, rump width and final score. Genetic and phenotypic parameters were estimated using Restricted Maximum Likelihood based on two-trait animal mixed model analyses. The model contained fixed effects of herd-year, season of calving, age of calving, sire group and a random animal genetic effect. Estimates of heritability were within the published range for all traits. Of the conformation traits examined, capacity, size and stature had the highest correlations with body weight, with phenotypic correlations between 0.36 and 0.43, and genetic correlations between 0.61 and 0.79. Feed efficiency was negatively correlated to all body size measures, both phenotypically (−0.01 to −0.29) and genetically (−0.31 to −0.53), but most significantly with body weight, capacity, size, and stature. Fat-corrected milk yield showed negligible phenotypic and low to moderately negative genetic (−0.07 to −0.29) correlations with body weight and related type traits. Total energy intake was positively related to all measures of body size, most notably body weight, while grain energy intake had moderately negative genetic correlations (−0.20 to −0.40) with the same body size traits. Because of their detrimental relationships with feed efficiency, negative selection emphasis should be placed on body weight and the related type traits capacity, size and stature. Capacity, size and stature are of moderate utility when selecting indirectly for body weight, total energy intake and feed efficiency. Key words: Dairy cattle, genetics, production, conformation, feed efficiency

Relationships among udder type traits and milk yield of Iranian Holstein-Friesian cattle

2003 ◽  
Vol 2003 ◽  
pp. 141-141
Author(s):  
M. R. Sanjabi ◽  
M. G. Govindaiah ◽  
M. M. Moeini
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Type Traits ◽  
High Production ◽  
Friesian Cattle

Correlation among type traits and with milk production has been investigated by Brotherstone (1994) and Misztal et al (1992). One of the primary reasons for collecting and utilizing information on type traits is to aid breeders in selecting profitable functional cows for high production and suitable herd life. The objectives of this study were to estimate phenotypic and genetic correlations among milk production and with udder traits.

138. Effect of Breed, Size of Cow, Yield of Milk and Stage of Lactation upon Efficiency of Milk Production

1936 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 211-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Edwards
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Gross Efficiency ◽  
Physiological Efficiency ◽  
Stage Of Lactation ◽  
Actual Yield ◽  
The Relationship

The records of 2400 cows on test at the London Dairy Show between the years 1922 and 1934 have been examined for the relationship between the gross physiological efficiency of milk production and the factors of breed, size of cow within a breed, actual yield of milk and stage of lactation. (“Gross Efficiency” is here the ratio of energy in the milk to the energy in the digestible nutrients consumed.)(1) It is shown that among the best representatives of the various dairy breeds there is little difference in gross efficiency of milk production. The lactation stimulus has been bred approximately in proportion to the size of the breed.(2) Cows, in spite of their greater weight, are more efficient than heifers, and animals milked thrice daily than those milked twice daily.(3) Within the breed there is a slight though definite tendency for gross efficiency to decrease with increase in live weight.(4) Greater than any of the foregoing differences in gross efficiency is that which exists within a breed due to differences in actual milk yield.(5) Stage of lactation has also much to do with gross efficiency. There is a steady decline in efficiency with advance in lactation from 38·75 to 29·25 per cent.

RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SPEED OF MILKING AND SOMATIC CELL COUNT AND PRODUCTION IN HOLSTEINS

1983 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 781-789 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. K. MOORE ◽  
J. E. MOXLEY ◽  
B. W. KENNEDY ◽  
E. B. BURNSIDE
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Cell Count ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Somatic Cell Count ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Heritability Estimate ◽  
Phenotypic Correlations ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
The Relationship

Milking speed data were obtained for 2604 Holstein-Friesian cows, identified by sire, in test herds located in Quebec and Ontario. Milk samples were collected from each cow and analyzed for somatic cell count. Completed or projected lactation production records were available for this sample of cows. Two-minute yield and total milking time were adjusted for the effect of milk yield at sampling and the raw cell counts were transformed to the natural log scale. Sire and error variances were obtained by maximum likelihood (ML) methods and used to estimate heritabilities of and correlations between traits. The heritability estimate for the adjusted 2-min. yield, 0.23, was higher than that for the adjusted total milking time (0.13), with the estimates for the two unadjusted measures being intermediate (0.18). The phenotypic correlations between milking speed and somatic cell count were small. However, there were two distinct linear phases to the relationship between the adjusted 2-min yield and cell count. Small but significant phenotypic correlations were observed between unadjusted measures of milking speed and lactation production (0.11–0.22); however, correlations were not significant when adjustments were made for the milk yield at sampling. Genetic correlations between milking speed and somatic cell count were moderate to large and indicated an antagonistic relationship between faster milking speed and cell count. Also, the genetic correlations suggested some antagonism between increasing 2-min yield and lactation production, while the relationship between lactation traits and milking time was small. Key words: Milking speed, somatic cell count, correlations, heritabilities, Holsteins

Significance of Environmental Influences on Average Daily Milk Traits of Sirohi Goats in Their Native Tract

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Gautam H.A. Waiz ◽  
R. K. Nagda
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Goat Milk ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Milk Traits ◽  
Daily Milk Yield ◽  
Daily Milk

Data on 3244 Sirohi kidding during 2004 to 2016 in farmer’s flocks under All India Co-ordinated Research Project on Goat Improvement (AICRP) project, Vallabhnagar, Udaipur were utilized to estimate the average daily milk (ADM) at different lactation months and subjected to least square analysis to study the effect of various non-genetic factors like cluster, periods of kidding, season of kidding, parity, type of birth and regression of dam’s weight. The overall least-squares means for ADM1, ADM2, ADM3, ADM4, ADM5 and overall ADM were 564.07±18.34, 671.92±15.17, 633.41±10.75, 508.93±8.01, 329.72±7.93 and 540.79±10.78 ml, respectively. Cluster and period wise variation were highly significant on all stages of average daily milk yields. The parity had statistically highly significant effect on average daily milk yields, in which seemed that milk yields increase as parity increase, thereafter declined slowly. The effect of type of kidding was non-significant on all stages of average daily milk yield under this study. The regression of dam’s weight at kidding was positive and highly significant (P£ 0.01) on all average daily milk yield. The heritability estimates for these traits ranged from 0.03 ± 0.01 (ADM4) to 0.19 ± 0.02 0.06 ± 002 (ADM1). The high estimates of genetic correlations of average milk yield of different periods with overall average daily milk yield. The phenotypic correlations were positive and low between ADM1 and ADM4­, ADM5 and medium between ADM1 and ADM4, ADM5. In order to augment goat milk production, goat keepers need to be focused on nutritional and others environmental conditions as it affect their flock.

Sahiwal cattle in Pakistan: genetic and environmental causes of variation in body weight and reproduction and their relationship to milk production

1999 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. N. Khan ◽  
A. Dahlin ◽  
A. H. Zafar ◽  
M. Saleem ◽  
M. A. Chaudhry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Expectation Maximization Algorithm ◽  
Reproductive Traits ◽  
Calving Interval ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Genetic Value

AbstractThe influence of genetic and environmental factors on body weight and reproduction and their relationship to milk production traits, were studied in data of about 4700 Sahiwal cows from Pakistan. (Co)variance components were estimated using restricted maximum likelihood (REML) procedure based on the expectation maximization algorithm applying an animal model. Mean weights of females were: at birth, 21·6 kg; at 1 year, 130 kg; and at 2 years, 222 kg. Records of age at calving, cow weight post partum and calving interval were studied in the first three parities, with parities considered as different traits. For primiparous cows the average values of these traits were: 44·1 months, 319 kg and 465 days, respectively. Mean stillbirth rate was 5·3%. Heritabilities ranged for body weight traits from 0·08 to 0·21, for age at calving from 0·10 to 0·13 and for calving interval from 0·03 to 0·07. Genetic correlations of age at first calving with calving interval and 305-day milk yield were low. The genetic correlation between 305-day milk yield and calving interval was positive (unfavourable) in first parity (0·68) but negative in the third (-0·47). Cows with a high genetic value for 305-day milk yield were heavier at first calving than were low-yielding cows (rg 0·57). The genetic change in reproductive traits over the period studied was close to zero, whereas a marked deterioration was found in phenotypic performance. It is concluded that improved feeding and management, along with some selection against poor reproduction in cows, are important for improvement of reproductive performance.

Genetic analysis of milk production and composition in crossbred ewes from different maternal genotypes

2009 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 24 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Afolayan ◽  
N. M. Fogarty ◽  
J. E. Morgan ◽  
G. M. Gaunt ◽  
L. J. Cummins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
The Other ◽  
Separate Analysis ◽  
Daily Milk Yield ◽  
Sire Breed ◽  
Daily Milk

Milk production and milk composition were measured in 1056 crossbred ewes managed under pasture grazing in a lamb production system. Most ewes were milked on three occasions at ~3, 4 and 12 weeks of lactation. The ewes were the progeny of mainly Merino dams and 91 sires from several maternal crossing breeds including Border Leicester, East Friesian, Finnsheep and Coopworth. The ewes were born over 3 years and run at three sites where they were joined naturally to meat rams. Most of the ewes were first parity (autumn-joined at 7 months of age and spring-joined at 14–17 months of age), with the remainder second or third parity. The cohorts of ewes and sites were linked genetically by three common maternal sires. The 4-h oxytocin-induced milking procedure was used to estimate daily milk production and milk samples were analysed for composition (fat%, protein% and lactose%). Daily milk yield and milk composition traits were analysed using restricted maximum likelihood mixed models procedures. The sire breed of crossbred ewes was significant for milk yield (P < 0.01), fat% (P < 0.01) and lactose% (P < 0.05). There was a significant (P < 0.01) interaction of sire breed × days of lactation, mainly due to the relatively higher milk yield of the East Friesian and White Suffolk cross ewes compared with the other crosses, at the end of the lactation. The East Friesian cross ewes had lower milk fat% than the other cross ewes. Ewes suckling multiple lambs had 29% higher peak milk yield than those bearing and suckling single lambs (P < 0.001). There was an increase in peak milk yield of the ewes from first to second parity, and third parity ewes had a greater decline to the end of lactation causing a significant interaction (P < 0.001). The overall decline in milk yield from peak to late lactation was –21.2 ± 0.7 g/day. Separate analysis showed a significant increase in milk yield with ewe pre-joining weight (regression 6.1 ± 1.8 g/day.kg). The estimate of heritability for daily milk yield was 0.24 ± 0.04 at 90 days of lactation and 0.10 ± 0.02 at 21 days of lactation. The estimates of heritability for the milk composition traits were generally moderate. Estimates of genetic correlations between measurements early and late in the lactation for milk yield and most composition traits were high. The within ewe by stage variance component estimates of repeatability were moderate to high for milk yield, fat% and protein%, with lactose% being low.

The milking performance of dual-purpose crossbred yaks

1998 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 471-473 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Jialin ◽  
W. Mingqiang ◽  
L. Zhonglin ◽  
J. M. Chesworth
Keyword(s):  
High Altitude ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Fat Content ◽  
Dual Purpose ◽  
Once Daily ◽  
Supplementary Food ◽  
Breeding Herd ◽  
Daily Milk Yield ◽  
Daily Milk

AbstractWild yak males were crossed with domesticated female yaks to produce a breeding herd of crossbred animals. The milk production of the progeny of this herd was measured in the present study. Yaks were milked once daily after prior suckling of the calf. Yaks were allowed to graze for 15 hiday on high-altitude (3200 to 3500 m) pastures. No supplementary food was given. Average daily milk yield of 1·77 (s.e. 0·16) kg and milk yield over 120 days, 212·2 (s.e. 20·2) kg were significantly higher (P < 0·01) than the corresponding figures for unimproved domestic yaks (1·53 (s.e. 0·10) kg and 184·6 (s.e. 10·5) kg respectively). The fat content of milk from crossbred yaks, 52 (s.e. 2·9) glkg, was not significantly different from that of unimproved animals, 53·5 (s.e. 4·1) g/kg.

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