Genetic Parameter Estimates for Milk and Conformation Traits of Multi-genotype Cattle
Oludayo Michael Akinsola *
Department of Animal Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
Ishaya Bawa Atang
Plateau State Veterinary Hospital, Polo/Gada-Biyu, Jos, Nigeria
Adekola Omololu Atanda
Department of Animal Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
Louis Ugwu
Department of Biology, School of Science, Federal College of Education, Katsina, Nigeria
Danladi Shuaibu Bunjah
Danladi Shuaibu Bunjah 4Agriculture Research Council of Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Nigeria
Dorcas John Jirgi
Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, P.M.B 135, Garki, Abuja, Nigeria
Muizzat Onozasi Bello
Department of Animal Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Genetic Parameter Estimates for Milk and Conformation Traits of Multi-genotype Cattle
The objectives of this research were to estimate the genetic parameters of milk and conformation traits under environmental sensitivity of multi-genotype cattle. The data from the study came from two genotypes of cows (Holstein and 3/4HolsteinX1/4Bunaji). Milk yield, six body traits (stature, ST; chest width, CW; body depth, BD; heart girth, HG; rump width, RW, chest ligament, CL) and four udder traits (rear udder height, RUH; rear udder width, RUW; udder clearance, UC; teat length, TL). Multi-trait animal models were used to estimate the (co)variance components based on average information restricted maximum likelihood method (AIREML) using R 3.0.3 software. Heritability estimates for milk production and conformation traits were low to high (h2=7 to 44%, Holstein; 16 to 42%). Genetic and environmental correlation between 305-day fat-corrected milk yield and conformation traits were less than unity across different genotypes. It was concluded that considerable exploitable genetic variation exists for milk production and conformation traits which suggest a potential for improvement of economic characteristics.
Keywords: 3/4HolsteinX1/4Bunaji, genetic, AIREML, milk yield