Genetic parameters and economic values of traits other than production for dairy cattle

B.W. Wickham

New Zealand Dairy Board, Wellington

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1979, 39: 180-193

The New Zealand Dairy Board, as part of its bull progeny-testing programme, routinely collects farmer assessment of non-production traits. These data from 2 years were analysed to obtain estimates of heritabilities and genetic correlations for both the Friesian and Jersey breeds. Estimates of economic values were obtained using survival from first to second lactation as dependent variable in a linear model, with fat yield and scores for the non-production traits as independent variables. In combination, the estimated economic values and genetic parameters indicate that, apart from fat yield, the only other trait (amongst those measured) likely to substantially contribute to total genetic gain is shed temperament.

Keywords: NZSAPAB;

Last Updated 12-09-1998