Heritability of linear type traits in the autochthonous Rendena dual purpose breed

Abstract

The aim of the study was to estimate heritabilities (h2) of type traits and linear description scores in Rendena breed. Five traditional summary traits and 20 linear descriptions were recorded on 9,776 Rendena primiparous cows. All available pedigree information (16,234 animals) was used to set up the relationship matrix among animals. Data were analyzed using a single-trait animal model, accounting for the following effects: herd-year-classifier, days in milk, age at first calving, and the genetic additive cow effect. The most heritable trait was the stature (h2 = 0.53), whereas the lowest value was found for feet (0.13). Other considerable values of heritability were found for body size (0.45), body length (0.40), and udder width (0.43). Medium-high heritability estimates were obtained for fleshiness (0.33), and udder (0.35), and regarding linear description for thigh-buttocks traits (0.32, and 0.33), thinness and rump angle (0.36 for both traits), as well as teat length (0.33). On the other hand suspensory ligament (0.17), and thorax length (0.16) showed low heritability values. However, the general good heritability estimates suggest the possibility to use linear description or type traits in genetic evaluation of Rendena cattle.