Optimization and Validation of a Linear Appraisal Scoring System for Milk Production-Linked Zoometric Traits in Murciano-Granadina Dairy Goats and Bucks

Abstract

Implementing linear appraisal systems (LAS) may reduce time, personnel and resource costs when performing large-scale zoometric collection. However, optimizing complex zoometric variable panels and validating the resulting reduced outputs may still be necessary. The lack of cross-validation may result in the loss of accuracy and value of the practices implemented. Special attention should be paid when zoometric panels are connected to economically-relevant traits such as dairy performance. This methodological proposal aims to optimize and validate LAS in opposition to the traditional measuring protocols routinely implemented in Murciano-Granadina goats. The sample comprises 41,323 LAS and traditional measuring records from 22,727 herdbook-registered primipara does, 17,111 multipara does and 1485 bucks. Each record includes information on 17 linear traits for primipara/multipara does and 10 traits for bucks. All zoometric parameters are scored on a nine-point scale. Cronbach’s alpha values suggest a high internal consistency of the optimized variable panels. Model fit, variability explanation power and predictive power (mean square error (MSE), Akaike (AIC)/corrected Akaike (AICc) and Bayesian information criteria (BIC), respectively) suggest the model comprising zoometric LAS scores performs better than traditional zoometry. Optimized reduced models are able to capture variability for dairy-related zoometric traits without noticeable detrimental effects on model validity properties.

Camel Genetic Resources Conservation through Tourism: A Key Sociocultural Approach of Camelback Leisure Riding

“…Component loadings lower than |0.5| were ruled out provided their confounding nature. Varimax with Kaiser normalization rotated component was performed to reduce the number of factors to be included in our general model [74], as it identifies which of all the factors considered are able to capture the maximum fraction possible of the variability in the dataset (significantly loaded factors ≥ 0.5).…”

Analysis of the Genetic Parameters for Dairy Linear Appraisal and Zoometric Traits: A Tool to Enhance the Applicability of Murciano-Granadina Goats Major Areas Evaluation System

“…Despite few preliminary applications [ 2 ], the National Association of Breeders of the Murciano-Granadina goat breed (CAPRIGRAN) [ 3 ] started routinely implementing its LAS in 2010 [ 4 ]. Since then, CAPRIGRAN LAS has assisted Murciano-Granadina goat breeders in the evaluation of their individual animals based on (morpho) type traits that affect dairy structural and functional durability such as udder measurements [ 5 ].…”

“…In these regards, Cabrandalucía Federation has implemented the concept of smart farming, relying on a precision livestock farming (PLF) platform (Web-App RUMIA). Web-App RUMIA incorporates PLF-like principles based on the integration of individual animal data points to optimize decision-making through a smartphone-based terminal and substitutes the previous “Escardillo” software used by CAPRIGRAN [ 4 ]. The improvements in the collection of zoometric/LAS information rely on the systematic remote on-farm individual data recording and acquisition, storage processing and interpretation by a Cabrandalucía supercomputer [ 6 ].…”

“…CAPRIGRAN LAS routinely comprises the numerical description of 17 zoometric linear traits (10 in the case of bucks as the mammary system major category is not evaluated) on a one-to-nine-point scale to represent the zoometric linear biological range for each particular trait [ 4 ]. The term “linear” in a linear appraisal system refers to the fact that traits are rated on a linear scale that goes from one biological extreme for that trait to the other.…”

Conditioning Factors of Linearized Wood’s Function Lactation Curve Shape Parameters, Milk Yield, Fat and Protein Content in Murciano-Granadina Primiparous Does

“…Murciano-Granadina dairy biotype [ 2 ] is eumetric and characterizes by a subrectilinear or rectilinear profile. The coat is uniformly black or mahogany (stains of any color are unacceptable), with black or pink mucous membranes, respectively.…”