In order to determine the possible effects of udder traits on milk yield and milk composition a serial of experiments were carried out on five different sheep farms, between 1998-2000. Ten breeds and genotypes were included in these experiments: Merino, (Merino x Pleven Blackhead) F1, Pleven F1 x Black East Friesian, Lacaune, (Merino x Lacaune) F1, British Milksheep, (Merino x British Milksheep...

Binational genetic evaluation between Germany and France were performed for each type trait using a single-trait MACE (multiple across-country evaluation) model. Daughter yield deviations (DYD) of bulls having 30 equivalent daughter contributions or more were the data for parameter estimation. Full pedigree information of bulls was used via sire and dam relationships. In general, across-country...

Presence of mastitis in pregnant as well as unbred dairy heifers can adversely affect the development of milk-producing tissues, leading to less than maximal milk production and increased SCC during their first lactation. Use of nonlactating cow therapy or teat sealants have been beneficial in curing existing IMI and preventing new IMI from developing. When used together, the combination of the...

to test the effect of culling herd life from the breeding goal function, 4 different selection indices were established as: index 1: using milk production (milk), fat percentage of milk (fat%) and rear udder height (ruh); index 2: using milk , fat% and fore teat placement (ftp), index 3: using milk, fat% and fore udder attachment (fua); and index 4: using milk, fat%, ruh, ftp and fua) under two...

The objective of this study was to evaluate the morphometric and reproductive traits of indigenous dairy goat types. It was conducted in three districts (Ebnat, Gonji-kolela and Farta) based on the agro-ecological differences, goat population potentials and experience of the farmers using goat milk. Semi-structured questionnaires, field observations, morphological and reproductive trait measure...

To determine whether tail docking would influence cow cleanliness and udder health in a free-stall system, we monitored milking cows after half the animals in a herd were docked. A sample of 223 docked and 190 undocked cows (reducing to 169 and 105 over the study as cows were dried off) were monitored for 8 wk. Cow cleanliness was scored in two areas: along the spine, and the rump adjacent to t...

Genetic evaluations of US dairy goats are calculated annually by USDA from records that are available through Dairy Herd Improvement programs and the American Dairy Goat Association (ADGA). The number of does in test plans used in genetic evaluations was 11,273 during 1999; participation in linear appraisal programs during 1999 was 3784 does, a decrease from the mean of 4285 does over the last ...