Genetic and environmental factors influencing milk, protein and fat yields of pasture-based dairy cows in Tasmania
S. A. Adediran A , P. Nish B , D. J. Donaghy C , D. A. Ratkowsky A and A. E. O. Malau-Aduli A DA Animal Production and Genetics, School of Agricultural Science/Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 54, Hobart, Tas. 7001, Australia.
B Tasherd Pty Ltd, PO Box 68, Hadspen, Tas. 7290, Australia.
C Dairy Research Centre, Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research, PO Box 3523, Burnie, Tas. 7320, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: aduli.malauaduli@utas.edu.au
Animal Production Science 50(4) 265-275 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN09084
Submitted: 21 May 2009 Accepted: 11 March 2010 Published: 12 May 2010
Abstract
The objective of this study was to provide an update on milk production performance, heritability, genetic and phenotypic correlations among production traits that are valuable for management, breeding and selection decisions in pasture-based dairy systems. The study utilised a total of 106 990 lactation records of Holstein–Friesian (FF), Jersey (JJ) and their crossbreds (HF) from 428 Tasmanian dairy herds collected between 2000 and 2005. The data were analysed using the least-squares approach with a general linear model and restricted maximum likelihood approach with a linear animal model. Results indicated highly significant (P < 0.01) effects of breed, herd size, cow’s parity, season and year of calving on milk, protein and fat yields. Average milk and protein yields per cow per lactation were highest in the FF breed (5212 L and 171 kg, respectively) and lowest in the JJ breed (3713 L and 143 kg, respectively). FF cows also produced 13.5 kg more milk fat than JJ and HF cows. Furthermore, milk, fat and protein yields were highest for cows calving during spring and lowest for autumn-calving cows. It was also evident that cows in very large herds (>1110 cows/herd) out-produced those in smaller herds. Heritability was highest for milk yield and lowest for somatic cell count ranging from 0.28 to 0.41. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between milk, fat and protein yields ranged from 0.41 to 0.85, and 0.66 to 0.92, respectively. However, genetic and phenotypic correlations between the log of somatic cell count and the production traits ranged from 0.03 to 0.09 and –0.03 to –0.05. We conclude that breed, herd size, parity, season and year of calving were among the main factors correlated with the productivity of dairy cows in Tasmania and adjustments for these factors would be mandatory for any unbiased comparison of lactation performance within and between pasture-based dairy production systems. The practical application of this information would be valuable to dairy farmers for decisions related to breeding, selection and management of their herds.
Additional keywords: Holstein–Friesian, pasture-based cows.
Acknowledgements
This research was funded by graduate research scholarships from Dairy Australia (DA), Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research (TIAR) and the University of Tasmania (UTas.). The authors gratefully acknowledge DA, TIAR and UTas. Our gratitude also goes to Tasmanian dairy farmers and TasHerd for unrestricted access to data.
Bargo F,
Muller LD,
Delahoy JE, Cassidy TW
(2002) Milk response to concentrate supplementation of high producing dairy cows grazing at two pasture allowances. Journal of Dairy Science 85, 1777–1792.
|
CAS |
Crossref |
PubMed |
[Verified 9 April 2010]
Dobos RC,
Nandra KS,
Riley K,
Fulkerson WJI,
Lean J, Kellaway RC
(2001) Effects of age and liveweight at first calving on first lactation milk, protein and fat yield of Friesian heifers. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 41, 13–19.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[Verified 9 April 2010]
García SC, Holmes CW
(2001) Lactation curves of autumn-and spring-calved cows in pasture-based dairy systems. Livestock Production Science 68, 189–203.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
García SC,
Cayzer FJ,
Holmes CW, MacDonald A
(1998) The effect of calving season on milk production. A system study. Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 58, 61–63.
García SC,
Pedernera M,
Fulkerson WJ,
Horadagoda A, Nandra K
(2007) Feeding concentrates based on individual cow requirements improves the yield of milk solids in dairy cows grazing restricted pasture. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 47, 502–508.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Grainger C
(1990) Effect of stage of lactation and feeding level on milk yield response by stall-fed cows to change in pasture intake. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 30, 495–501.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Horan B,
Dillon P,
Faverdin P,
Delaby L,
Buckley F, Rath M
(2005) Strain of Holstein-Friesian by pasture-based feed system interaction for milk production; bodyweight and body condition score. Journal of Dairy Science 88, 1231–1243.
|
CAS |
Crossref |
PubMed |
Jensen J
(2001) Genetic evaluation of dairy cattle using test-day models. Journal of Dairy Science 84, 2803–2812.
|
CAS |
PubMed |
Lopez-Villalobos N,
Lemus-Ramirez V,
Holmes CW, Garrick DJ
(2001) Lactation curves for milk traits, live weight and body condition score for heavy and light Holstein–Friesian cows. Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 61, 217–220.
Madgwick PA, Goddard ME
(1989) Comparison of purebred and crossbred dairy cattle for Victoria, estimation of genetic effects for yield. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 29, 1–7.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Meyer K,
Graser HU, Hammond K
(1989) Estimates of genetic parameters for first lactation test day production of Australian Black and White cows. Livestock Production Science 21, 177–199.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Msanga YN,
Bryant MJ,
Rutam IB,
Minja FN, Zylstra L
(2000) Effect of environmental factors and of the proportion of Holstein blood on the milk yield and lactation length of crossbred dairy cattle on smallholder farms in north-east Tanzania. Tropical Animal Health and Production 32, 23–31.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
CAS |
PubMed |
Pander BL,
Hill WG, Thompson R
(1992) Genetic parameters of test day records of British Holstein–Friesian heifers. Animal Production 55, 11–21.
Robaina AC,
Grainger C,
Moate P,
Taylor J, Stewart J
(1998) Responses to grain feeding by grazing dairy cows. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 38, 541–549.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Stockdale CR
(1999) The nutritive characteristics of herbage consumed by grazing dairy cows affect milk yield responses obtained from concentrate supplementation. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 39, 379–387.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Swalve HH
(1995) The effect of test day models on the estimation of genetic parameters and breeding values for dairy yield traits. Journal of Dairy Science 78, 929–938.
|
CAS |
Crossref |
PubMed |
Tekerli M,
Akinci Z,
Dogan I, Akcan A
(2000) Factors affecting the shape of lactation curves of Holstein cows from the Balikesir Province of Turkey. Journal of Dairy Science 83, 1381–1386.
|
CAS |
Crossref |
PubMed |
Val-Arreola D,
Kebreab E,
Dijkstra J, France J
(2004) Study of the lactation curve in dairy cattle on farms in Central Mexico. Journal of Dairy Science 87, 3789–3799.
|
CAS |
Crossref |
PubMed |
Visscher PM, Goddard ME
(1995) Genetic parameters for milk yield, survival, workability, and type traits for Australian dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science 78, 205–220.
|
CAS |
Crossref |
PubMed |
Wales WJ,
Heard JW,
Ho CKM,
Leddin CM,
Stockdale CR,
Walker GP, Doyle PT
(2006) Profitable feeding of dairy cows on irrigated dairy farms in northern Victoria. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 46, 743–752.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Walker GP,
Dunshea FR, Doyle PT
(2004) Effects of nutrition and management on the production and composition of milk fat and protein: a review. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 55, 1009–1028.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
CAS |
White SL,
Benson GA,
Washburn SP, Green JT
(2002) Milk production and economic measures in confinement or pasture systems using seasonally calved Holstein and Jersey cows. Journal of Dairy Science 85, 95–104.
|
CAS |
Crossref |
PubMed |
Wilmink JBM
(1987) Adjustment of lactation yield for age at calving in relation to level of production. Livestock Production Science 16, 321–334.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
|
