Genetic Evaluation of First Lactation and Lifetime Production Traits in Friesian Cattle in Egypt | ||||
| Journal of Animal and Poultry Production | ||||
| Article 1, Volume 16, Issue 1, January 2025, Page 1-5 PDF (384.67 K) | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/jappmu.2025.348101.1143 | ||||
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| Authors | ||||
A. A. El-Raghi  1; A. S. Abo El-Enin2; M. A. Abu Al-Hamd2
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| 1Department of Animal, Poultry, and Fish Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Damietta University, Damietta 34517, Egypt | ||||
| 2Animal Production Research Institute (APRI), Agriculture Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture, Dokki, Giza 12619, Egypt | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Research on the longevity of dairy cattle has been extensively explored, yet it remains a subject under active investigation due to its significant implications for farm economics. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters of first lactation and lifetime productivity traits in Friesian cattle, in order to identify avenues for genetic enhancements in these traits. The dataset encompassed 2837 records from 1243 cows, offspring of 835 dams and 108 sires, spanning the years 2000 to 2015 and sourced from two experimental stations, Sakha and El-Karada, managed by the Animal Production Research Institute, Egypt. The heritability estimates stood at 0.17, 0.26, 0.24, 0.12, 0.16, 0.31, 0.27, and 0.10 for FDIM (first days in milk), FLMY (first lactation milk yield), FLSMY (first lactation standard (305 days) milk yield), FDP (first dry period), LTDIM (lifetime days in milk), LTMY (lifetime milk yield), LTSMY (lifetime standard (305 days) milk yield), and LTDP (lifetime dry period), respectively. Significant positive genetic correlations were found between lifetime production traits. Also, positive genetic coefficients were observed between lifetime milk production traits and both of FLMY and FLSMY. Sire’s breeding values displayed a wide range for FLMY, FLSMY, LTMY, and LTSMY. In conclusion, the moderate heritability estimates of first and lifetime milk production traits suggest that enhancing these traits through selection is feasible. The positive genetic correlation observed between these traits indicates a shared genetic influence, suggesting that progress in these traits can be simultaneously pursued through early selection processes in sires. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| first lactation; lifetime performance; genetic evaluation; Friesian cattle | ||||
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