Introduction
Breeding values, using BLUP methodology, are estimated for the
South African Ayrshire, Guernsey, Holstein and Jersey breeds. Except for the
Guernsey breed, these evaluations are done twice a year (see schedule). BLUP for
production traits and somatic cell score are based on test-day records of the
first three lactations. Selecting animals on these breeding values will
therefore render an improvement in lifetime production.
Ayrshire traits
Production Traits : Milk Yield, Butterfat
Yield, Protein Yield, Butterfat Percentage, Protein Percentage
Udder
Health : Somatic Cell Score
Guernsey traits
Production Traits : Milk Yield, Butterfat
Yield, Protein Yield, Butterfat Percentage, Protein Percentage
Udder
Health : Somatic Cell Score
Holstein traits
Production Traits : Milk Yield, Butterfat
Yield, Protein Yield, Butterfat Percentage, Protein Percentage
Udder
Health : Somatic Cell Score
Linear Type Traits :
Rump Height, Body Depth, Angularity, Rump Angle, Rump Width, Rear Legs Side,
Foot Angle, Chest Width, Legs Rear View, Fore Udder Attachment, Rear Udder
Height, Medial Ligament, Udder Depth, Front Teat Placement, Front Teat Length,
Udder Width
Jersey traits
Production Traits : Milk Yield, Butterfat
Yield, Protein Yield, Butterfat Percentage, Protein Percentage
Udder
Health : Somatic Cell Score
Linear Type Traits :
Wither Height, Body Depth, Dairy Form, Rump Angle, Thurl Width, Rear Legs Side,
Foot Angle, Chest Width, Legs Rear View, Bone Structure, Fore Udder Attachment,
Rear Udder Height, Udder Cleft, Udder Depth, Front Teat Placement, Front Teat
Length, Rear Udder Width, Rear Teat Placement
Services rendered
Breeders participating in the South African Milk Recording
Scheme are automatically supplied with herd profiles after the second run of the
year. However, herd profiles are also available on request after the first run.
These herd profiles can be supplied as hard copies or in electronic format
Searches are also done for breeders according to their
specific needs
Special requests regarding herd customization are handled if
possible
Inbreeding coefficients of animals can also be supplied, even
for future progeny of test matings
MACE (multiple across country evaluation) breeding values of
foreign sires not yet qualified to receive a South African breeding value are
available.
Information available in the herd
profile
General information regarding the evaluation
Percentiles of breeding values for active animals
Genetic Trends
Breeding values (and indices, where available) of Sires and
Young Bulls
Sires’ Daughter Details
Breeding values (and indices, where available) and phenotypic
averages of Measured Cows
Breeding values (and indices, where available) of dams
without being measured
Breeding values (and indices, where available) of heifers
Selection List, sorted according the breeder’s choice, of all
active cows in the herd
Pedigree Details
Schedule of genetic evaluation
Ayrshire | June/July | October/November |
Guernsey | | September/October |
Holstein | May/June | October/November |
Jersey | February/March | August/September |
International participation (MACE)
South Africa’s genetic methodology is approved by INTERBULL
(International Bull Evaluation Service). This allows us to participate in
international evaluations, done in Sweden three times a year to obtain MACE
(multiple across country evaluation) breeding values for the dairy industry.
There are currently 27 countries, including South Africa,
participating in INTERBULL analyses. These countries submit breeding values to
INTERBULL for national AI bulls used in at least 10 herds, as well as for
international bulls used in at least 50 herds. Based on this information
INTERBULL estimates breeding values for all participating bulls and these
breeding values (MACE) are redistributed to the participating countries based on
each country’s unit of measurement, genetic parameters and base year adaptation.
Thus each country obtains its own set of breeding values directly comparable to
its national breeding values. It is thus possible to obtain breeding values for
an international bull before the bull has any daughters in South Africa. The
breeding values are based on the bull’s daughters in his country of origin and
that country’s genetic correlation with South Africa. We use MACE breeding
values for foreign bulls until the bull has 10 measured daughters in 5 herds
(Ayrshire and Guernsey breeds) or 20 measured daughters in 10 herds (Holstein
and Jersey breeds) in South Africa. Thereafter we use the bull’s breeding value
predicted from our own national genetic analysis. Young bulls and heifers from
these MACE bulls also receive breeding values calculated as the mid-parent
value. In other words the sire’s MACE and the dam’s national breeding values
are used until the son has sufficient daughters himself or until enough
daughters come into milk. MACE breeding values are indicated with an M in the
herd profile.
Research projects
Current dairy research projects:
Estimation of genomic breeding values for economic traits in dairy cattle
Genetic evaluation for longevity of dairy cattle
Construction of an udder health index for the improvement of resistance to
mastitis in South African dairy cattle
Genetic improvement of efficiency of production of dairy cows
Genetic evaluation of fertility traits of dairy
cattle
- Identify genes in pairing fertility
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