Two selection goals of inclusion or exclusion of calving interval (CI) in the selection goal function for Holstein cows in Iran, besides milk yield, milk fat percentage, and milk protein percentage, were studied. Four selection indices were composed of using the information on production traits, CI and / or days from calving to first insemination (DFI). The results of the predicted genetic grow...

The objectives of this work were to compare reproduction and parturition traits of the Criollo breed Romosinuano as straightbred and crossbred cows with Angus and Brahman, to estimate heterosis and direct and maternal genetic breed effects, and to describe calf loss, cow removals from the project, the occurrence of calving difficulty, inadequate calf vigor at birth, and udder problems by cow br...

Body condition score (BCS), energy content (EC), cumulative effective energy balance (CEEB), and blood serum concentrations of glucose, beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) were measured throughout first lactation in 497 Holstein cows raised on a large commercial farm in northern Greece. All these traits are considered to be indicators of a cow's energy balance. An ...

Procedures for breeding value estimation for reproductive traits under pasture mating conditions were developed and tested using a computer simulation model of genetic control of bovine reproduction. The model generated annual calving rates (BCR) (0 or 1) and calving dates (CD) for each cow as a function of underlying genetic variation in two independent traits: single-service conception rate, ...

This review presents genetic, phenotypic, environmental and other factors influencing functional longevity in dairy cattle. High yielding cows show a lower risk of culling than low producing cows. Cows with a lower milk yield have an approximately 2.7 times greater risk of culling as compared to cows with an average milk production. Genetic estimation of the length of productive life is possibl...