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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #375215
Research Project: Improving Dairy Animals by Increasing Accuracy of Genomic Prediction, Evaluating New Traits, and Redefining Selection Goals

Location: Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory

Title: What’s changing about the calving traits?

Author
item Cole, John
item EAGLEN, SOPHIE - National Association Of Animal Breeders
item LAWLOR, JR., THOMAS - Holstein Association Usa, Inc
item NICOLAZZI, EZEQUIEL - Council On Dairy Cattle Breeding

Submitted to: Progressive Dairyman
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/3/2020
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The phenotypic base used for expressing calving traits evaluations will be updated in August 2020. The average PTA for all traits will decrease by 1 to 6 points. Holstein predicted transmitting abilities will average 2.2 and 2.7 for sire and daughter calving ease, which means that selection thresholds such as “no bull over 8” are no longer necessary. The bases for Brown Swiss calving ease and Holstein stillbirth will also decrease. The stillbirth traits will now be expressed in terms of percent stillbirths in heifers to match the calving ease traits. Dairy farmers have successfully reduced the rates of dystocia and stillbirth, which is why the bases need to be changed, but it will remain important to select the best available bulls for breeding to your heifers.