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J. Dairy Sci. 86:3704-3717
© American Dairy Science Association, 2003.

Genetic Parameters for Body Condition Score, Body Weight, Milk Yield, and Fertility Estimated Using Random Regression Models

D. P. Berry*,{dagger}, F. Buckley*, P. Dillon*, R. D. Evans*, M. Rath{dagger} and R. F. Veerkamp{ddagger}

* Dairy Production Department, Teagasc, Moorepark Production Research Centre, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland
{dagger} Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
{ddagger} Animal Resources Development, Animal Sciences Group, Wageningen, 8200 AB Lelystad, The Netherlands

Corresponding Author: D. P. Berry; e-mail: dberry{at}moorepark.teagasc.ie.

Genetic (co)variances between body condition score (BCS), body weight (BW), milk yield, and fertility were estimated using a random regression animal model extended to multivariate analysis. The data analyzed included 81,313 BCS observations, 91,937 BW observations, and 100,458 milk test-day yields from 8725 multiparous Holstein-Friesian cows. A cubic random regression was sufficient to model the changing genetic variances for BCS, BW, and milk across different days in milk. The genetic correlations between BCS and fertility changed little over the lactation; genetic correlations between BCS and interval to first service and between BCS and pregnancy rate to first service varied from -0.47 to -0.31, and from 0.15 to 0.38, respectively. This suggests that maximum genetic gain in fertility from indirect selection on BCS should be based on measurements taken in midlactation when the genetic variance for BCS is largest. Selection for increased BW resulted in shorter intervals to first service, but more services and poorer pregnancy rates; genetic correlations between BW and pregnancy rate to first service varied from -0.52 to -0.45. Genetic selection for higher lactation milk yield alone through selection on increased milk yield in early lactation is likely to have a more deleterious effect on genetic merit for fertility than selection on higher milk yield in late lactation.

Key Words: body weight • body condition score • fertility • random regression

Abbreviation key: DairyMIS = dairy management information system, IFS = interval to first service, L0 = random regression model with only the linear intercept term included, L1 = linear random regression model, L2 = quadratic random regression model, L3 = cubic random regression model, NAHF = North American Holstein Friesian, NS = number of services per cow, PR63 = pregnant 63 d after the start of the breeding season, PRFS = pregnancy rate to first service, RRM = random regression model




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