Global Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics received 125 citations as per Google Scholar report
N Beneberu*, K Getahun, K Alemayehu, W Mebratie and Z Lemma
The data collected from 1986 to 2019 at Adea-Berga Jersey herd improvement farm was used to estimate genetic parameters for milk production traits (Lactation Milk Yield (LMY), Daily Milk Yield (DMY) and Lactation Length (LL)). The traits were estimated by using WOMBAT software. Univariate analysis was undertaken for each trait for estimation of parameters (heritability, repeatability, and breeding values) and genetic and phenotypic correlations were estimated with bivariate analysis. The direct heritability estimates for LMY, DMY, and LL of pure Jersey dairy cows were 0.14 ± 0.00, 0.12 ± 0.04, and 0.04 ± 0.02, respectively. The repeatability of LMY, DMY, and LL were 0.33 ± 0.00, 0.40 ± 0.02, and 0.10 ± 0.02, respectively. The genetic correlations between milk productions traits varied from -0.93 ± 0.22 to 0.98 ± 0.07 while the values of phenotypic correlation ranged from -0.03 ± 0.02 to 0.82 ± 0.01. The average breeding values for LMY, DMY, and LL were 26.89 litres, 0.07 litres, and 0.09 days, respectively. Heritability values of all traits are low, therefore, the possibility to improve milk production performance would be faster through improving animal management than using genetic selection. Selection of one trait among LMY, DMY and LL traits would bring a favourable response for other traits as all are showed positive genetic correlations. In conclusion, improvement of management (feeding, disease and climate control, etc.) should be implemented for the improvement of milk production traits of pure Jersey cattle population. Selection and breeding with the use of worldwide sire semen in the farm also creates genetic variability within the herd and improves heritability, genetic correlations among milk traits and breeding values.
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