Estimation of Genetic Parameters for Milk Production Trait in Holstein Cows of the Mazandaran Gavdasht Herd Using Test Day Records

Abstract

Random regression models (RRM) are used for genetic estimations of milk traits in dairy cows. RRM utilize data on traits that are repeated during the time, such as milk trait, which allows of the evaluation of the test day production information. In this study, to estimate genetic parameters for milk production trait, test day records (TDR) were collected from the first lactation of Holstein cows from a Mazandaran Gavdasht herd during the years 2001 to 2012. The data included 14150 TDR of milk production trait of 1460 Holstein cows. Analysis of TDR was performed using the DFREML software. The random regression was fitted according to the Legendrepolynomials model from days of lactation. The minimum of heritability (0.04) was estimated for the early lactation period and increased in the late of lactation, about the month 9 of lactation to its peak (0.29). The phenotypic variance was not same during the lactation period and it was too much in the early and late of lactation. The maximum of genetic variance was at the month 10 (19.81) and the minimum at the early of the lactation period (2.51). The residual variances were constant. The maximum of the genetic and phenotypic correlations were observed between adjacent days for milk production trait. Using TDR, accuracy of genetic parameter estimation was increased.