Phenotypic correlation of traits of production and reproduction of Simmental cows in different regions of Serbia

Vlada Pantelic,Dragan Niksic,Dusica Ostojic-Andric,Marina Lazarevic,Nevena Maksimovic,Nenad Micic,Milos Marinkovic

doi:10.2298/bah1903219p

Vlada Pantelic, Dragan Niksic + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.2298/bah1903219p

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Abstract

The main goal of this research was to examine, using modern methods, the variability of phenotypic correlations of production performances and reproductive properties of Simmental cows reared on the farms of individual agricultural producers, in different breeding areas of the Republic of Serbia. The study of phenotypic correlations of milk performance and fertility properties in different regions of Serbia was carried out on a total of 3.056 primi parous Simmental heifers under control, with lactations completed within one year. The examined animals were reared on different individual farms, and mainly in very different conditions of housing and nutrition, depending on the breeding area. The study of phenotypic correlations included the following milk performance traits: milk yield, milk fat content, milk fat yield, yield of 4% corrected milk; and fertility properties: age at first calving and service period. The results of the study among other things indicate that although the phenotypic correlations between the fertility and milk performance properties show different degrees of variation, they should be taken into account in the final assessment of the breeding value of the animal, so that the breeding selection programs are more comprehensively designes.

Highlights

Phenotypic correlation of milk performance and fertility properties is very important in a comparative selection for several properties, and even more important for indirect selection in conditions where some properties can not be directly improved
The results of the study among other things indicate that the phenotypic correlations between the fertility and milk performance properties show different degrees of variation, they should be taken into account in the final assessment of the breeding value of the animal, so that the breeding selection programs are more comprehensively designes
The coefficients of the phenotypic correlation of milk performance properties, the duration of service period and the age at calving in different regions of Serbia are shown in Tables 1 and 2

Summary

Introduction

Phenotypic correlation of milk performance and fertility properties is very important in a comparative selection for several properties, and even more important for indirect selection in conditions where some properties can not be directly improved. Age at calving was in negative phenotypic correlation with all production indicators: milk yield -0.023,% milk fat -0.005, milk fat -0.023, and production of 4% FCM -0.023. The mutual phenotypic correlation of age at calving and service period was week positive 0.047. The service period was in a negative correlation with the milk yield traits, except for the milk fat content 0.001, and the duration of lactation 0.329. The coefficients of phenotypic correlations between milk performance properties in standard lactation and age at first calving (AFC) and service period (SP) were calculated by Stojić (1996). Correlation coefficient values were: milk yield - AFC 0.034; milk yield - SP 0.095; milk fat % - AFC 0.034; milk fat% - SP 0,032; milk fat, kg - AFC 0.045; milk fat, kg - SP 0.072; yield of 4% FCM - AFC 0.042; yield of 4% FCM - SP 0.085

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