PEDIGREE INDEXING OF HOLSTEIN BULLS USED IN ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION

1981 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 261-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.R. SCHAEFFER

Bulls entering artificial insemination in Canada from 1957 to 1980 were indexed, using various combinations of ancestors, for milk, fat percentage, and 10 conformation traits. Correlations between the indexes and actual progeny test proofs were used to compare indexes with different combinations of ancestors. When sire, dam, and both maternal grandparents were used in the index, the correlations were 0.52 for milk yield, 0.64 for fat percentage, and 0.41 for final class. When only the sire was included, the corresponding correlations were 0.57, 0.48, and 0.39. The regression coefficients for predicting a bull’s proof from only the sire’s proof and dam’s estimated transmitting ability were 0.457 and 0.308, respectively, for milk yields, and 0.526 and 0.478 for fat percentage. For the type classification traits, the dam’s and maternal granddam’s actual classifications, coded 1 to 6 for poor through excellent, were used rather than an estimated transmitting ability. The regression coefficients for predicting a bull’s type proof from only the sire’s proof and dam’s classification were 0.064 and 0.507, respectively, for feet and legs, 0.147 and 1.310 for final class, 0.213 and 0.969 for rump, and 0.131 and 0.957 for mammary system. Trends in indexes of young bull entries have increased over time for production and type.

1990 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 731-734 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. S. ATWAL ◽  
J. D. ERFLE

Large day-to-day variations in milk fat, particularly for the morning milkings, were observed in 36 Holstein cows. Changes in percent fat were gradual and produced wavelike patterns in a number of instances. Supplemental feeding of long hay had no effect on acetate/propionate ratio in rumen fluid, daily milk yield or weighted milk fat percentage. Key words: Dairy cows, milk, fat depression, hay


1989 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. J. T. Swanson ◽  
H. Joanne Bellamy

ABSTRACTTwo pedigree indexes were calculated for 754 Friesian/Holstein bulls born between 1974 and 1980 and tested by the Milk Marketing Board. Correlations between the indexes and the average progeny performance were used to compare the indexes calculated using information from different ancestors. The first index, or estimated predicted difference (EPD) was calculated as one-half the sire progeny test, known as an Improved Contemporary Comparison (ICC), plus one-quarter the maternal grandsire ICC. The second index or estimated ICC (EICC) was calculated from one-half the sire ICC plus one-half the dam cow genetic index (CGI). The correlations between the deregressed bull evaluations (DICC) and EPD, calculated from 310 bulls, were 0·40 for milk yield, 0·40 for fat yield and 0·39 for protein yield. The corresponding correlations between the DICC and EICC, calculated from 314 bulls, were 0·43, 0·40 and 0·41. The regression coefficients for predicting average progeny performance from the EPD index were 1·00 (s.e. 0·13), 0·97 (s.e. 0·12), 0·96 (s.e. 0·13), 1·09 (s.e. 0·12) and 1·08 (s.e. 0·10) for milk, fat and protein yield, fat and protein percentage respectively. Those for predicting progeny performance from the EICC index were 0·95 (s.e. 0·11), 0·81 (s.e. 0·10) and 0·84 (s.e. 0·10) for milk, fat and protein yield respectively. Although the correlations were lower than the expected values of 0·50 (EPD) and 0·55 (EICC) the regressions were near the expected value of 1. The results indicate that the indexes are useful as a preliminary means of selecting bulls prior to progeny testing.


2019 ◽  
Vol 99 (3) ◽  
pp. 521-531
Author(s):  
M. Duplessis ◽  
R. Lacroix ◽  
L. Fadul-Pacheco ◽  
D.M. Lefebvre ◽  
D. Pellerin

2007 ◽  
Vol 2007 ◽  
pp. 185-185
Author(s):  
M. Bojarpour ◽  
A M Godarzi ◽  
N. Dabire

The non-NDF carbohydrates (NFC) are important sources of energy in the ration of high producing cows. The fibre must be proper quality and particle size to insure maximum DMI, optimal chewing activity, normal ruminal fermentation, and milk fat percentage. The NRC (1989) recommends 25 to 28% NDF in the rations of lactating cows; a minimum of 75% of the NDF should come from forages. These recommendations provide no adjustment for the physical effectiveness of the fibre, interactions among fibre sources and non fibre carbohydrates, or animal characteristics that may influence ration design. Few data are available to document the effect of the substitution of by-product NDF for forage NDF; our objective was to determine the effect of the substitution of alfalfa NDF from sugar beet on DMI, milk yield and composition, chewing activity, faecal and rumen pH, and apparent digestibility of DM.


1987 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 631-635 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. E. ALI ◽  
L. R. SCHAEFFER

The correlation between sire and son genetic evaluations for fat percentage has been shown to be lower than corresponding correlations for milk or fat yield for the population of bulls in artificial insemination. The purpose of this study was to determine the cause of this low correlation. Based on 302 935 first-lactation daughters of 11 396 sires, the heritabilities of milk, fat and fat percentage were 0.28, 0.27 and 0.52, respectively. Indirect versus direct calculation of sire evluations for fat percentage were correlated at 0.997, and resulting sire-son correlations were 0.45 for directly calculated proofs and 0.43 for indirectly calculated proofs. The low sire-son correlations were due to the intense selection of sires of sons, especially for fat percentage, which resulted in a change in genetic parameters among the bulls used as sires of sons compared to the parameters in the overall population. Key words: Fat percentage, pedigree indexing, dairy sires


2011 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 338-347
Author(s):  
N. G. Hossein-Zadeh

Abstract. Calving records from the Animal Breeding Center of Iran collected from January 1990 to December 2007 and comprising 207 106 first calving events of Holsteins from 2 506 herds were analysed using linear sire models to estimate genetic trends for age at first calving (AFC) and milk traits. Genetic trends were obtained by regressing yearly mean estimates of breeding values on year of birth. In general, there were decreasing genetic trends for AFC, fat percentage and protein percentage over the years but there were increasing genetic trends for milk yield, mature-equivalent milk yield, fat yield, mature-equivalent fat yield, protein yield and mature-equivalent protein yield over the years. On the other hand, there was a decreasing phenotypic trend for AFC but estimates of phenotypic trends were positive for milk yield and compositions over the years. It seems that the decline in calving age in this study over time resulted primarily from increased turnover rate and increased culling of heifers that failed to get pregnant. On the other hand, increasing trend for yield traits over time in this study indicated that Iranian dairy producers were successful in choosing progressively better semen and sires from imported and local sources over the years.


1969 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
pp. 241-251
Author(s):  
Paul F. Randel

Treatments A and B, based on complete rations, and a conventional control (C) were compared in a completely randomized design including 8 preliminary days and 3 successive 28-day comparison periods with 17 cows (13 Holstein and 4 Brown Swiss). Both complete rations incorporated 60% basal concentrates, principally ground maize, soybean meal, wheat middlings and cane molasses, and 40% grass hay, but differed in the coarsely chopped hay in A and ground hay (9.5 mm screen) ¡n B. Formulation specified 13% crude protein and 1.58 Mcal of net energy for lactation/kg of dry matter (DM). Each was fed to two groups of three cows, ad libitum in period 1 and restricted in periods 2 and 3 in late afternoon. During the hottest hours these animals rested under shade, which reduced thermal stress. Five control cows grazed rotationally at 2.5 animals/ha in gramineous swards of good quality, with individual supplementation of basal concentrates according to milk yield. Late in period 1, DM intake (DMI) of A and B reached maxima of 22 and 23 kg per per. Mean results for A, B and C, respectively, during 84 days were: daily DMI, 16.2, 16,4 and 6.0 kg (excluding pasture herbage), and as a percentage liveweight (LW), 2.96, 2.98 and 1.09; LW, 548, 552 and 550 kg; daily milk yield, 17.7, 16.5 and 16.0 kg; 4% fat corrected milk (FCM), 15.0, 13.7 and 14.0 kg; milk fat percentage, 3.00, 2.87 and 3.19; FCM/concentrates DMI ratio, 1.55, 1.39 and 2.34. One cow of B died of acute bloat in period 2, possibly because of insufficiency of effective fiber in the rumen. Complete ration A appears promising as a possible alternative for intensified dairying in Puerto Rico.


Author(s):  
E.И. САКСА

Приведены результаты использования быков голштинской породы, оцененных по качеству потомства, в хозяйствах Российской Федерации, в зависимости от происхождения, метода разведения и уровня их племенной ценности в стране происхождения. Анализ материалов оценки голштинских быков по качеству потомства показал, что из 1995 быков 40,9% являются улучшателями удоя (+183 кг молока, +7,2 кг молочного жира), 52,7% — нейтральными (-86 кг молока, -3,3 кг молочного жира) и только 0,3% — ухудшателями (-407 кг молока, -15,2 кг молочного жира). Высокая доля нейтральных быков (52,7%) и отрицательная оценка их племенной ценности по удою — результат действующей «инструкции», согласно которой производителям при оценке до -1404 кг молока по сравнению со сверстницами присваивают категорию «нейтральный». Выявлены племенные качества голштинских быков в зависимости от метода разведения. Высокую племенную ценность по удою (+439 кг молока) имеют голштинские быки, оцененные по качеству потомства на маточном поголовье скота ярославской породы. Племенная ценность быков, оцененных на маточном поголовье холмогорского скота, составила +153 кг, на поголовье черно-пестрого — +23 кг молока; при чистопородном разведении — +5 кг молока. Результаты использования импортной спермы 196 быков различного происхождения на поголовье 17087 дочерей-первотелок (8665 кг молока, 3,89% жира, 3,23% белка) свидетельствуют, что одни и те же быки имели наиболее высокую племенную ценность по удою при скрещивании с черно-пестрыми коровами (от +100 кг до 272 кг молока) по сравнению с чистопородным разведением (от +14 кг до -81 кг молока). Вышеуказанная закономерность сохраняется при оценке голштинских быков различного происхождения с уровнем племенной ценности до +601 кг молока в стране происхождения. Только выдающиеся по своим племенным качествам производители (+601 кг молока и более в стране происхождения), оцененные в отечественных стадах, имели высокую племенную ценность как при чистопородном разведении (+490 кг молока), так и при скрещивании (+539 кг молока) при продуктивности дочерей свыше 9000 кг молока. Выделены быки с высокими индивидуальными значениями племенной ценности. Для совершенствования продуктивных качеств скота голштинской породы необходимо использовать в воспроизводстве быков с оценкой племенной ценности по удою методом «дочери—сверстницы» не менее +200 кг молока. Требования к уровню племенной ценности быков увеличиваются с ростом продуктивности стад. The results of the use of Holstein breed bulls, evaluated by the merit of the offspring, in the farms of the Russian Federation, depending on the origin, breeding method and the level of their breeding value in the country of origin, are presented. Analysis of data for evaluating Holstein bulls by the merit of their offspring showed that out of 1995 bulls 40.9% are milk yield improvers (+183 kg of milk, +7.2 kg of milk fat), 52.7% are neutral (-86 kg of milk, -3, 3 kg of milk fat) and only 0.3% — deteriorating (-407 kg of milk, -15.2 kg of milk fat). The high proportion of neutral bulls (52.7%) and a negative evaluation of their breeding value for milk yield is the result of the current “instruction”, according to which sires, when evaluating up to -1404 kg of milk compared to their herd-mates, are assigned the category “neutral”. The breeding merits of Holstein bulls were revealed depending on the breeding method. Holstein bulls have a high breeding value for milk yield (+439 kg of milk), evaluated by their offspring merit when using Yaroslavl cattle mothers. The breeding value of bulls evaluated on the Kholmogory breeding mothers was +153 kg, on the Black and White stock - +23 kg of milk; with purebred breeding — +5 kg of milk. The results of using imported semen from 196 sires of various origins in a herd of 17087 first-calf daughters (8665 kg of milk, 3.89% fat, 3.23% protein) indicate that the same bulls had the highest breeding value for milk yield when mated with Black and White cows (+100 kg to +272 kg of milk) in comparison with purebred breeding (+14 kg to -81 kg of milk). The above mentioned rule holds true when evaluating Holstein bulls of various origins with a breeding value of up to +601 kg of milk in the country of origin. Only top sires with outstanding breeding merit (+601 kg of milk and more in the country of origin), evaluated in domestic herds, had a high breeding value both in pure-bred stocks (+490 kg of milk) and when crossing (+539 kg of milk) with the productivity of daughters over 9000 kg of milk. Bulls with high individual values of breeding merit have been identified. In order to improve the productive qualities of Holstein cattle, it is necessary to use bulls with the evaluation of the milk yield breeding merit of at least 200 kg of milk by the "daughter-herd mates" method. The requirements for the level of breeding value of bulls increase with the increase of the herd productive ability.


1958 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 403-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. T. COWIE ◽  
J. S. TINDAL

SUMMARY The mean survival period of twelve goats after adrenalectomy was 7·8±1·2 days. Adrenalectomy resulted in a progressive rise in the concentration of K and a fall of Na in the plasma. In the lactating goat there was a rapid inhibition of milk secretion and the concentration of K in the milk fell, while that of Na rose slightly as the yield dropped. Partial to complete maintenance of lactation was achieved in five lactating goats after adrenalectomy by implanting tablets of cortisone (or cortisone acetate) and deoxycorticosterone acetate (DCA), a daily absorption of at least 6–12 mg cortisone (or its acetate) and 2·5 mg DCA being required. DCA was the more critical component of the combination. During replacement therapy, when the daily milk yield had become relatively steady, the composition of the milk (fat and solids-not-fat percentages) and the Na and K concentrations in the milk were within the pre-operative ranges, but during the periods of adrenal insufficiency, when the milk yield declined, there was a concomitant rise in milk-fat percentage and a fall in milk K. These changes, however, also occurred when the milk yields fell from other causes and so they may not be directly attributable to the lack of adrenal steroids.


1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 735-737 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. C. Gardner ◽  
M. A. G. von Keyserlingk ◽  
J. A. Shelford ◽  
L. J. Fisher

Twenty–one multiparous Holsteins were used in a cross over design with two 28-d periods. Cows were randomly assigned to two treatments to assess the effect of textured and pelleted concentrates fed with alfalfa cubes on feed intake, milk yield, milk composition and rumen volatile fatty acid concentrations. Those animals receiving the textured concentrate had significantly (P < 0.05) higher milk yield and milk fat percentage than did those animals fed the pelleted concentrate. A significant difference in the ratio of milk protein to milk fat was also observed with the cows receiving the pelleted concentrate having a ratio of 1.31 and the cows receiving the textured concentrate a ratio of 1.02. No significant (P < 0.05) differences were observed between the textured and pelleted feeds in total or individual volatile fatty acid concentrations. These results indicate that the feeding of textured concentrates can lead to an increase in milk fat production when compared with the feeding of pelleted concentrates. Key words: Dairy cattle, milk composition, textured and pelleted concentrate, VFA


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