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1 Sustainable Livestock Systems Group, Scottish Agricultural College, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 0PH, United Kingdom
2 Institute of Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Ashworth Laboratories, King’s Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3JT, United Kingdom
Corresponding author: Eileen Wall; e-mail: Eileen.Wall{at}sac.ac.uk.
Some dairy cattle breeders believe that dairy cows with high pin bones will have poorer fertility. The aim of this study was to examine this claim by investigating the relationships, both genetic and phenotypic, between fertility, rump angle, and other selected type traits in first-lactation Holstein-Friesians. Results showed an unfavorable genetic correlation (–0.16) between calving interval and rump angle, suggesting that animals with high pin bones would have a longer calving interval. However, no significant genetic or phenotypic correlation between days to first service and nonreturn rate and rump angle was observed. No evidence of a relationship, linear or quadratic, between any fertility trait and rump angle was found. Udder support and mammary system were unfavorably correlated to calving interval (0.25 and 0.14, respectively), suggesting that cows with more functional udders would have a longer calving interval. Legs and feet score was favorably correlated to nonreturn rate, suggesting that animals with good legs and feet would be less likely to return to service.
Key Words: fertility • type trait • Holstein • rump
Abbreviation key: CI = calving interval, DFS = days to first service, L&F = legs and feet, MAM = mammary system, NR56 = nonreturn rate after 56 d, RA = rump angle, RUH = rear udder height, RW = rump width, US = udder support.
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