Genetic and phenotypic evaluation of Zimbabwean Jersey cattle towards the development of a selection index

Abstract: 
A multitrait selection index for Zimbabwean Jersey cattle was constructed using 10 986 records (305-day) from 25 herds with calving period from 1996 to 2008 using data from the Livestock Identification Trust. Genetic and phenotypic parameters were estimated using an Animal Model in ASREML. Genetic trends were also computed. The index was: I = 0.0004MY + 0.0109FY + 0.0313PY + 1.0004F% + 2.4491P% - 0.1905SCC; with an accuracy of 91.10 % and the correlation between the index and the aggregate breeding objective was 0.954. Incorporation of conformation and other functional traits is important but the current index can be used to improve Zimbabwe’s Jersey herd.
Un index à plusieurs traits de sélection pour les bétails Jersey de Zimbabwe a été construit en utilisant 10 986 dossiers (305 jours) à partir de 25 troupeaux avec une période de vêlage de 1996 à 2008 en utilisant des données provenant de « Livestock Indentification Trust ». Les paramètres génétiques et phénotypiques ont été estimés en utilisant un modèle animal de ASREML. Les tendances génétiques ont également été calculées. L’indice a été: I =% 0.0004MY + 0.0109FY + + 0.0313PY 1.0004F% + 2.4491P - 0.1905SCC; avec une précision de 91,10% et la corrélation entre l’indice et l’objectif global de reproduction s’est élevée à 0,954. L’incorporation de configuration et d’autres caractères fonctionnels sont importants, mais l’index actuel peut être utilisé pour améliorer les troupeaux du Jersey au Zimbabwe.
Language: 
English
Date of publication: 
2010
Country: 
Region Focus: 
Southern Africa
University/affiliation: 
Collection: 
RUFORUM Conferences and Workshops
Licence conditions: 
Open Access
Access restriction: 
Form: 
Printed resource
Publisher: 
ISSN: 
E_ISSN: 
Edition: 
Extent: 
1109-1112
Notes: 

About the RUFORUM 2010 Biennal Conference
"The 2010 RUFORUM Biennial Conference was the second in the series. The main objective of the Biennial conferences is to provide a platform for agricultural research for development stakeholders in Africa and beyond to actively exchange findings and experiences, while at the same time learning lessons towards improving performance of the agricultural sector and ultimately people’s livelihoods. The biennial conference is RUFORUM’s most comprehensive meeting for the diversity of stakeholders in agriculture. It is especially dedicated to graduate students and their supervisors, grantees in RUFORUM member universities and alumni. It is a platform for peer review, quality control, mentorship, networking and shared learning. This record contains an extended abstract accepted under the theme of Animal Science"