Cross-sectional analyses of a national database to determine if superior genetic merit translates to superior dairy cow performance

Various studies have validated that genetic divergence in dairy cattle translates to phenotypic differences; nonetheless, many consider the breeding goal, or associated traits, generally been small scale, often undertaken controlled environments, and they lack consideration for entire suite of traits included goal. Therefore, objective present study was fill this void, doing so, provide producers with confidence estimated values (EBV) goal do (or otherwise) translate desired changes performance among commercial cattle; an additional outcome such approach is identification potential areas improvements. Performance data on 536,923 Irish cows (and their progeny) from 13,399 spring-calving herds were used. Association analyses between cow's EBV each trait total merit index (which derived before her own accumulated) subsequent using linear mixed models; milk production, fertility, calving, maintenance (i.e., liveweight), beef, health, management all considered analyses. Results confirm excelling individual as well index, delivers superior performance; examples improved genetically elite animals include a greater yield concentration both fat protein, despite lower volume, reproductive performance, better survival, udder hoof lighter cows, fewer calving complications; these gains achieved minimal no effect beef progeny. The change per unit its respective largely line direction magnitude expectation, exception being interval. Per interval EBV, response anticipated but only half what expected. Despite deviation expectation phenotype, fertility indeed improvement detailed phenotypes investigated. substantiate sustainable strategy improving and, by extension, profit.