International genetic evaluation for milkability

Abstract

Average milk flow rate (AFR) for Simmental from Austria and two German states (Bavaria and Baden-Wuerttemberg) was analysed. Definition of AFR and collection of data were slightly different across countries and states, respectively. For each pair five sample data sets were created. A two-trait animal model was applied to obtain estimates by REML, using an average information approach. Heritability estimates ranged from .282 to .369. Estimates of genetic correlations were large, ranging from .841 between Baden-Wuerttemberg and Bavaria to .933 between Austria and Baden-Wuerttemberg. Based on these results, AFR from Austria and Baden-Wuerttemberg were considered the same trait. Therefore, application of a two-trait model was proposed for a joint genetic evaluation for AFR from Austria and Germany with AFR from Bavaria being the second trait. In both Austria and Germany only breeding values for average flow rate from Austria and Baden-Wuerttemberg will be published.