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Relationships between bull proofs for lifespan (LS) in the United Kingdom (UK) and various countries

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2017

C. M. Lindberg
Affiliation:
Animal Data Centre Ltd., Fox Talbot House, Greenways Business Park, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 1BN, UK
G. J. T. Swanson
Affiliation:
Animal Data Centre Ltd., Fox Talbot House, Greenways Business Park, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 1BN, UK
R. A. Mrode
Affiliation:
Animal Data Centre Ltd., Fox Talbot House, Greenways Business Park, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 1BN, UK
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Extract

Longevity or lifespan has proved to be an important trait when it comes to profitability for the dairy farmer. Selecting for longer herdlife not only reduces the replacement rate and thereby the replacement cost, but also gives the opportunity to cull for low production (as opposed to health problems) and increases the milk yield through a higher proportion of mature cows in the herd. Predicted Transmitting Abilities (PTA's) for LS are calculated from a bivariate analysis including indirect information in the form of a phenotypic index of four linear type traits (fore udder attachment, foot angle, udder depth and teat length) closely related to longevity, and from direct lactation information, i.e. survival measured in number of lactations corrected for milk yield (Brotherstone et al., 1998). Genetic evaluations for LS were introduced in the United Kingdom (UK) in August 1998 (Mrode et al., 1999).

Type
Poster Presentations
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 2000

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References

Animal Data Centre Ltd. August 1999. UK Statistics for Genetic Evaluations (Dairy).Google Scholar
Brotherstone, S., Veerkamp, R. F. and Hill, W. G. 1998. Predicting breeding values for herd life of Holstein Friesian dairy cattle from Lifespan and type. Animal Science 67, 405411.Google Scholar
INTERBULL, 1990. Recommended procedures for international use of sire proofs. Bulletin No 4., INTERBULL Centre, Uppsala, SwedenGoogle Scholar
Mrode, R. A., Swanson, G. J. T. and Lindberg, C. M. Genetic correlations of somatic cell count and conformation traits with herd life in dairy breeds, with an application to national genetic evaluations for herd life in the United Kingdom. Livestock Production Science, submitted.Google Scholar