Genomic information allows for more accurate breeding values for milkability in dual-purpose Italian Simmental cattle

Milkability is a trait related to the milking efficiency of an animal, and it component herd profitability. Due its economic importance, milkability currently included in selection index Italian Simmental cattle breed with weight 7.5%. This lowly heritable measured on subjective scale from 1 3 (1 = slow, fast), genetic evaluations are performed by pedigree-based BLUP. Genomic information now available for some animals population, inclusion evaluation system could increase accuracy breeding values progress milkability. The aim this study was test feasibility advantages having genomic population. Phenotypes were 131,308 cows. A total 9,526 had genotypes 42,152 loci; among genotyped animals, 2,455 cows phenotypes, other their relatives. youngest both phenotypes (n 900) identified as candidates. Variance components heritability estimated using pedigree information, whereas carried out BLUP single-step (ssGBLUP), respectively. In addition, weighted ssGBLUP assessed regions genome-wide association study. Evaluation models validated theoretical realized accuracies. 0.12 ± 0.01. mean accuracies candidates 0.43 0.08 (BLUP) 0.53 0.06 (ssGBLUP). based linear regression statistics 0.29 0.40 No significantly associated milkability, thus no improvements observed when ssGBLUP. Results indicated that improve Simmental.