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Genetic Relationship between Calf Livability and Calving Difficulty of Holsteins¹

Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames 50011

ABSTRACT

Multitrait procedure was used to investigate the genetic relationship between calf livability and calving difficulty of Holsteins. The genetic correlation between calf livability and calving difficulty was .66. Heritabilities were .9% for calf livability and 4.1% for calving difficulty. The product-moment correlation (.4) between sires' transmitting abilities estimated separately for livability and dystocia, with properties of Best Linear Unbiased Predictor, underestimated the genetic correlation (.66). The correlated response of calf livability is expected to be 41% greater when selection is for dystocia than is expected from direct selection on calf livability.

¹ Journal Paper No. J-10681 of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, Ames, Project No. 1053.

² Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), CNP-Gads de Leite, 36155-Coronel Pacheco, MG, Brazil.