Friesian Jersey crossbred trial: Generating phenotypes for the discovery of quantitative trait loci

R.J SPELMAN, J.D. HOOPER, G. STANLEY, S.A. KAYIS, S. HARCOURT

Livestock Improvement Corporation, Private Bag 3016, Hamilton, New Zealand

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NZSAP 2004 Abstract No. 23 Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 64: 92-95

A F₂ experiment is being undertaken with New Zealand Friesian and Jersey cattle. The objective of the experiment is to identify the underlying genetic differences between Friesian and Jersey breeds and to exploit the results through marker assisted selection or sale of intellectual property e.g. genotyping tests. Approximately 800 F₂ cows have calved as two-year-olds and completed their first lactation. These cows will be milked and phenotyped up to their fourth lactation. The 5 main categories that the cows are being extensively phenotyped in are; milk characteristics, milk production, reproduction, health and disease, and growth and development. First quantitative trait loci(QTL) results are expected in the second half of 2004 and available for utilisation in the Livestock Improvement breeding scheme in 2005.

Keywords: NZSAPAB; dairy cattle; quantitative trait loci; crossbred

Last Updated 8/07/2004