ORIGINAL PAPER
Genetic parameters of linearly scored conformation
traits of Polish Black-and-White cows
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Kraków Agricultural University, Department of Genetics and Animal Breeding,
Al. Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059 Kraków, Poland
Publication date: 2003-10-28
Corresponding author
A. Żarnecki
Kraków Agricultural University, Department of Genetics and Animal Breeding,
Al. Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059 Kraków, Poland
J. Anim. Feed Sci. 2003;12(4):689-696
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ABSTRACT
Type classification records of 87,352 Black-and-White cows collected between 1995 and 2000 were
analysed. The linear evaluation system included 15 traits scored from 1 to 9, height measured at rump, and
the final score made of four breakdown traits. Linearly scored traits varied much more than the remaining
traits, ranging from 15.7% for body depth to 22.7% for central ligament. The mean scores for teat length
and fore teat placement were much lower than the scores for muscularity, dairy character and chest width.
The phenotypic correlations between traits were, in general, smaller than the genetic correlations. Highest
heritability was obtained for height measure at rump (0.463). Heritabilities of breakdown traits were high
to moderate. The highest was heritability of size (0.416). Heritability of final score reached almost 0.30,
slightly lower (0.291) was heritability of conformation and dairy character, and the lowest was heritability of udder and legs. Heritabilities of linear scores of 9 traits ranged between 0.204 and 0.301, of the four
traits between 0.1 to 0.2, and in foot angle was only 0.074. The final score was genetically correlated with
its component traits, especially with conformation and dairy character (0.850). Dairy character was correlated with body depth and chest width. Some of the udder traits were genetically correlated, especially
udder height with udder width and central ligament with rear udder height and udder depth. The estimated parameters indicate that some conformation traits possibly can be improved.
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