Genetic evaluation to design a reference cow population for the Holstein breed in Tunisia: a first step toward genomic selection
Nour Elhouda Bakri
A * , M’Naouer Djemali A , Francesca Maria Sarti B , Mohamed Benyedder C and Camillo Pieramati D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Department of Animal Production, National Institute of Agriculture of Tunisia, 1082 Cité Mahrajène, Tunisia.
B Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno, 74, 06121 Perugia, Italy.
C Genetic improvement Directorate, Office of Livestock and Pastures, 30 Rue Alain Savary, 1002 Belvedere, Tunisia.
D Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy.
Animal Production Science - https://doi.org/10.1071/AN20688
Submitted: 6 January 2021 Accepted: 5 December 2021 Published online: 6 January 2022
© 2022 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing
Abstract
Context: There is a large gap between developed and developing countries in the field of genetic evaluation of livestock animals. Introduction of genomic evaluation procedures and methods could contribute to reducing this gap.
Aims: The goal of this study was to select a reference cow population for the Holstein breed in Tunisia. Specific objectives were to update adjustments for non-genetic factors affecting milk yield, estimate genetic parameters for milk yield, and predict cow breeding values.
Methods: A BLUP animal model was used for 11 175 lactations recorded between 2012 and 2017 from 6251 dairy cattle raised in 33 Holstein dairy herds from three types of herds or production sectors. A pedigree file of 16 211 males and females was included in the genetic evaluation. Multiplicative adjustment factors were computed for age and month of calving, using adjusted 305 days in milk.
Key results: Month of calving, age at calving and farm ownership were significant sources of variation for milk yield. Cows calving in autumn and early winter (September–January) yielded more milk than those calving in spring (February–May) by 430 kg, and summer (June–August) by 455 kg. Holstein cows in Tunisia reached their maximum milk yield during the fourth lactation. Average adjusted milk yield for days in milk, month and age of calving was 6621 ± 2883 kg. Heritability estimates of adjusted milk yield were 0.14 ± 0.02 for all seven lactations and 0.16 ± 0.03 for the three first lactations. Phenotypic correlations among lactations were all positive, ranging from 0.25 to 0.43. On the basis of two main traditional designs (extreme yield and top accuracy), 1000 cows were selected to form the Tunisian female reference population.
Conclusion: The first step of genomic evaluation has been realised by forming a reference population from cows selected for adjusted milk yield production, based on their predicted breeding values and accuracies, using a BLUP animal model.
Implication: In the absence of progeny testing and sufficient proven sires, a cow reference population could represent the alternative for implementing genomic selection in developing countries.
Keywords: dairy milk production, genetic selection index, genetic trend, Holstein, reference population.
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