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Genetic parameters for milk yield and composition of crossbred dairy cattle in Brazil^*

Ary F. Freitas^I; Charles J. Wilcox^II; Rafael M. Roman^II

^ICentro Nacional de Pesquisa Gado de Leite, EMBRAPA, Coronel Pacheco, MG, Brasil. CNPq
^IIDepartment of Dairy and Poultry Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-0920, USA. Send correspondence to C.J.W.

ABSTRACT

Data representing 20 dairy herds in Brazil from 1981 through 1992 were collected for study. After screening, 1430 to 2343 lactation records by 955 to 1402 cows were analyzed to estimate effects influencing milk, fat and protein yields and fat and protein percentages. Data represented total and 305 day performance. Animals were crossbreds, representing groups of daughters by 80 crossbred sires. Sires were from 5/8 to 7/8 European-Zebu crossbreds; daughters ranged from 2/8 to 7/8. European contribution was mostly Holstein; Zebu contribution was Gir and Guzera. Within crossbred groups, heritabilities ranged from 0.10 to 0.24, if records were not adjusted for days in milk, close to classic estimates for yields from temperate climates but lower than those for percentages. Heritabilities were slightly but consistently lower for 305 day records than for total records. Adjustment for days in milk lowered heritabilities to 0.06 to 0.22. Genetic correlations between total and 305 day performance were high, 0.84 to 1.00 (10 estimates); phenotypic correlations ranged from 0.52 to 0.99. Other estimates pooled within the crossbred groups were similar to those obtained in purebred groups within temperate areas. Estimates of genetic change from selection within crossbred groups would not be expected to differ widely from estimates obtained elsewhere for purebreds.

Keywords: genetic parameters; milk yield; dairy cattle.

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* Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Series No. R-03899.