Intercorrelations Among Milk Production Traits and Body and Udder Measurements in Holstein Heifers

Abstract

Data from 1341 Holstein heifers of 71 sires were used to study heritabilities of and genetic and phenotypic correlations among milk production traits (308-d milk, front and rear half yields), body measurements (heart girth, withers height, body length, and rump length), udder measurements (front teat length and diameter, rear teat length and diameter, teat distance and udder height), and age at first calving. Genetic and phenotypic parameters were estimated by the multitrait restricted maximum likelihood method. Multitrait estimates of heritability ranged from .37 to .47 for first lactation yield traits, from .19 to .51 for body measurements, and from .08 to .41 for udder measurements. Age at first calving averaged 22.3 mo with a heritability estimate of .11. Milk production traits were all positively correlated with body measurements, suggesting that high producing heifers would be taller, larger, and longer than low producing heifers. Multitrait estimates of genetic and phenotypic correlations between udder height and yield traits were all negative, suggesting that high producing heifers tend to have lower udders. Of four body measurements studied, rump length showed the greatest genetic correlations with yield traits. Among six udder measurements, udder height exhibited the highest degree of associations with yield traits. Thus, rump length and udder height merit greater attention for prediction of lactational performance.

Relationships of early performance traits to lifetime profitability in Holstein cows

“…They found that milk production traits (308-d milk, front and rear half yields) were positively correlated with body measurements (heart girth, wither height, body length, and rump length). The results of the present study, which found height at withers and rump length, positively and significantly related to profit measures DLP, ADLP LTL , ADLP LPL , and EF agree with those of Lin et al (1987). These traits were, however, not significantly related to DLPOC (Table 9).…”

“…These positive correlations suggest that cows that have high milk production in first lactation were taller and larger than low producers. Lin et al (1987) also found negative phenotypic correlations between udder height and yield traits, implying that high producing heifers tend to have lower udders. The current study found corresponding results (Table 9).…”

“…This study used an edited data set from the same large population studies by Lin et al (1987). Lin et al (1987) reported phenotypic correlations of milk production traits with body and udder measurements in Holstein heifers.…”

“…This study used an edited data set from the same large population studies by Lin et al (1987). Lin et al (1987) reported phenotypic correlations of milk production traits with body and udder measurements in Holstein heifers. They found that milk production traits (308-d milk, front and rear half yields) were positively correlated with body measurements (heart girth, wither height, body length, and rump length).…”

Heifer fertility and carry over consequences for life time production in dairy and beef cattle

“…In dairy cows, milk production is positively correlated with size (Lin et al, 1987) which has contributed to selection for larger animals even though these are not necessarily the most efficient. Several studies have investigated associations between SNP in the leptin system with growth, milk production and fertility traits.…”