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Variation in Type Appraisal Scores Due to Sire and Herd Effects

Department of Animal Husbandry, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York

ABSTRACT

Type appraisal scores on about 1,400 two-year-old and 4,080 older cows for 34 management and type characteristics were analyzed to determine the relative influence of sire and herd effects. Most traits could be scored in from three to live categories. Estimates of within herd heritability were less than 10% for most traits. Components of variance for herd effects were also less than 10% for most traits. Exceptions are listed below. The management traits of resistance to mastitis and ketosis and of milking speed had heritabilities of about 25%. The body characteristics of dairy character, shoulder tightness, depth of body, and upstandingness also had heritability estimates of 20% or slightly greater. Heritability estimates for levelness of udder floor, depth of udder, strength of rear and fore udder attachment also were in the region of 25%.