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Economic weights for genetic improvement of lactation persistency and milk yield

K. Togashi^*,1 and C. Y. Lin

^* National Agricultural Research Centre in Hokkaido Region, Hitsujigaoka 1, Toyohiraku, Sapporo, Japan 0628555
Dairy and Swine Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 2000 College St., PO Box 90-STN Lennoxville, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada J1M 1Z3

¹ Corresponding author: tkenji{at}naro.affrc.go.jp

This study aimed to establish a criterion for measuring the relative weight of lactation persistency (the ratio of yield at 280 d in milk to peak yield) in restricted selection index for the improvement of net merit comprising 3-parity total yield and total lactation persistency. The restricted selection index was compared with selection based on first-lactation total milk yield (I₁), the first-two-lactation total yield (I₂), and first-three-lactation total yield (I₃). Results show that genetic response in net merit due to selection on restricted selection index could be greater than, equal to, or less than that due to the unrestricted index depending upon the relative weight of lactation persistency and the restriction level imposed. When the relative weight of total lactation persistency is equal to the criterion, the restricted selection index is equal to the selection method compared (I₁, I₂, or I₃). The restricted selection index yielded a greater response when the relative weight of total lactation persistency was above the criterion, but a lower response when it was below the criterion. The criterion varied depending upon the restriction level (c) imposed and the selection criteria compared. A curvilinear relationship (concave curve) exists between the criterion and the restricted level. The criterion increases as the restriction level deviates in either direction from 1.5. Without prior information of the economic weight of lactation persistency, the imposition of the restriction level of 1.5 on lactation persistency would maximize change in net merit. The procedure presented allows for simultaneous modification of multi-parity lactation curves.

Key Words: criterion • restricted index • total milk yield • total lactation persistency