Abstract
ABSTRACT In this study, milk yield, reproductive yield, and type traits of 533 Holstein cows in the first lactation raised in 54 farms were examined. In the three-year study, phenotypic (rP) and genetic (rG) correlations between type traits and milk yield were estimated based on the variance elements and heritability of the type traits of Holstein cows in the first lactation. Linear identification and scoring systems have been applied to classify the cows according to type traits. Heritability and correlations were estimated with ASREML models. The type traits included stature, angularity, rump width, hocks, rear udder height, central ligament, teat length, body capacity, feet and legs, udder composite and final score for genetic correlations with 305-day milk yield were estimated as -0.49, -0.14, -0.93, 0.35, 0.40, 0.11, -0.65, 0.70, 0.31, 0.54, and 0.70, for phenotypic correlations were estimated as 0.28, 0.28, 0.30, 0.21, 0.35, 0.39, -0.06, 0.46, 0.48, 0.56, and 0.58 respectively. Among the phenotypic correlations between the type traits, especially the phenotypic correlations between the final score and various type traits were found to be high and significant. The fact that these traits are in high correlation with other traits and milk yield may enable these to be used as indirect selection criteria in the selection for milk yield.
Highlights
The goal of breeding in dairy cattle is to increase the lifetime yield per animal and unit time
It is desirable that the body structures of cows with high milk yield show dairy characteristics, that their rear and fore legs are smooth and firm, and that the udder is in a suitable structure that is firmly attached to the body (Smothers et al, 1993)
In studies conducted on Holstein cows in Turkey, the heritability of stature was determined between 0.25 and 0.53 (Özet, 2001; Duru, 2005; Çerçi, 2006; Erkmen, 2020)
Summary
The goal of breeding in dairy cattle is to increase the lifetime yield per animal and unit time. To increase profitability in dairy cattle breeding, cows must have a suitable body structure, ensure. The ability of cows to bear the burden of high yield for many years is only possible if their bodies are in a suitable structure. The selection of highly productive animals that can yield for many years can be predicted by indexes taken from early age measurements (Tapkı and Guzey, 2013). Choosing cattle with better type traits as a breeder will increase the animal's endurance for milk production (Wasana et al, 2015)
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