Bos indicus and Bos taurus crossbred dairy cattle in Australia. IV.* Progeny testing and expected rate of genetic improvement

Abstract

A dairy improvement program designed to develop a breed of cattle adapted to tropical environments is described. Each year young crossbred (Bos indicus x Bos taurus) bulls are screened for heat tolerance and tick resistance, and then progeny-tested in the herds of cooperating dairy farmers. Estimates of phenotypic and genetic means, variances and correlations are presented for production of milk and milk components, and the rate of genetic improvement is discussed. In particular the heritability of milk yield in the crossbred progeny is 0.27, and the theoretical rate of improvement is 2.6% per year.

____________________ *Part III, Aust. J. Agric. Res., 25: 1023 (1974).