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Reproductive Performance of Crossline and Pureline Dairy Heifers¹

Research Branch, Agriculture Canada

ABSTRACT

Data of 2779 purebred and crossbred heifers collected from five research stations of Agriculture Canada were used to study additive and nonadditive genetic effects on ages at first heat and at first breeding and conception rate at first service. Of these heifers, 2378 heifers had information on ages at first conception and at first freshening, days from first service to conception, and gestation length. The model included station, year of birth, sire, breed additive, maternal, and heterosis effects where sire effects were treated as random. Station differences were a significant source of variation for all reproductive traits. Year of birth had significant effects on four of seven reproductive traits. Breed additive effects for all genetic groups were not significant except for Finnish Ayrshire and American Holstein. No significant maternal effects were detected. Of 21 combinations of heterosis effects, six combinations showed significance. Partial regression coefficients ranged from negative to positive, suggesting that breed additive, maternal, and heterosis effects could increase or decrease for each percent increase of genetic contribution, depending upon the trait, breed group, and type of inheritance.

¹ Animal Research Centre Contribution No. 1188.

² Animal Research Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0C6.

³ Lennoxville Research Station, Quebec.

⁴ Lethbridge Research Station, Alberta.

⁵ Normandin Research Station, Quebec.

⁶ Charlottetown Research Station, Prince Edward Island.