Interrelationships of Milk Yield, Body Weight, and Reproductive Performance

L. Badinga, R. J. Collier, C. J. Wilcox, W. W. Thatcher

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

41 Scopus citations

Abstract

Records (2263) from a single north Florida herd for 3 yr were evaluated in a series of analyses. Environment was sub-tropical. Data set included only cows that had normal milk records and became pregnant. Holsteins and Jerseys averaged 6799 and 4504 kg milk, 587 and 418 kg postpartum body weight, 164 and 141 days open, and 2.3 and 2.1 services per subsequent pregnancy. Pooled within breed, repeatabilities and heritabilities of these performance measures were .37, .15; .53, .25; .20, .06; and .30, 0. Estimable genetic correlations were milk yield and body weight −.09, milk yield and services per conception .38, and services per conception and body weight .37; range of standard errors was .22 to .39. Substantial genetic antagonism may exist between milk yield and body weight, and efficient reproduction. If results of this research are verified elsewhere, breeders should be aware that selection for increased weight could lead to decreased reproductive efficiency.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1828-1831
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of dairy science
Volume68
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - 1985
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Food Science
  • Animal Science and Zoology
  • Genetics

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