Principles of pedigree dairy cattle selection based on the regional selection index

P. I. Otradnov¹, D. M. Krivosheev^2
1Ernst Federal Science Center for Animal Husbandry, pos. Dubrovitsy, 60, Podol’sk, Moskovskaya obl., 142132, Russian Federation
²Vologda State University, ul. Lenina, 15, Vologda, 160000, Russian Federation

Abstract. The purpose of the study was to determine the optimal criterion for selecting pedigree animals based on a comparison of estimates of their genetic and genetic-economic value in groups modelled according to various criteria. To achieve this, the efficiency of the selection of cows and bulls was analysed based on index estimates obtained using the method proposed by L. N. Hazel. Pedigree value was determined by the Best Linear Unbiased Prediction – Animal Model (BLUP AM) method and included parameters of milk productivity such as milk yield, fat and protein content in milk, as well as fat and protein yield. The study conducted in 2005–2016 involved 48,830 cows and 498 bulls from 45 farms of the Vologda region. Selection criteria were determined by the correlations between the signs of milk productivity at the genetic and phenotypic levels. They were the closest between the indicators ‘milk production in 305 days’, ‘fat production’ and ‘protein production’ (r = 0.94–0.99). The correlations between the rest of the trait pairs (including “fat content in milk” and “protein content in milk”) were weaker (r = -0.29–0.47). Modelling of the selection of 10% of the best cows and bulls according to one criterion or another allowed determining the efficiency of animal selection both from the point of view of the genetic improvement of a single trait and within the framework of the income component due to the genetic improvement of the population and expressed in the values of the selection index. The use of the selection index as a criterion allowed for the selection of animals with an optimal ratio of milk production traits and economically preferable animals. Selection according to the index allowed predicting a significant increase within the income component (223.34–2466.76 rubles/animal for cows and 315.20–3917.00 rubles/animal for bulls), as well as excluding knowingly unprofitable selection criteria (from -10655.90 to -16788.80 rubles/animal for cows and from 14186.98 to 19776.42 rubles/animal for bulls).

Keywords: pedigree cattle; dairy cattle; selection index; pedigree value; best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP).

Author Details: P. I. Otradnov, post graduate student, junior research fellow (e-mail: Этот адрес электронной почты защищён от спам-ботов. У вас должен быть включен JavaScript для просмотра.); D. M. Krivosheev, Cand. Sc. (Biol.), assoc. prof.

For citation: Otradnov PI, Krivosheev DM. [Principles of pedigree dairy cattle selection based on the regional selection index] Dostizheniya nauki i tekhniki APK. 2021;35(9):54-9. Russian. doi: 10.53859/02352451_2021_35_9_54.