Comparison of Fixed Regression and Random Regression Test-Day Models for genetic evaluation of milk yield trait in Holstein cows Razavi Khorasan province

Abstract

The Fixed Regression Test-Day Model (FRM) and Random Regression Test-Day Model (RRM) for genetic evaluation of milk yield trait of dairy cattle in Khorasan Razavi province were studied. Breeding values and genetic parameters of milk yield trait from two models were compared. A total of 164391 monthly test day milk records (three times milking per day) obtained from 19217 Holstein cows distributed in 172 herds and calved from 1991 to 2008, were used to estimate genetic parameters and to predict breeding values. The contemporary group of herd- year- month of production was fitted as fixed effects in the models. Also linear and quadratic forms of age at calving and Holstein gene percentage were fitted as covariate. The random factors of the models were additive genetic and permanent environmental effects. In the random regression model, orthogonal legendre polynomial up to order 4(cubic) was implemented to take account of genetic and environmental aspects of milk production over the course of lactation. Heritability estimates resulted from the FRM was 0.15. The average heritability estimates resulted from the RRM of monthly test day milk production for the second half of the lactation was higher than that of the first half of lactation period. The highest and lowest heritability values were found for the first (0.102) and sixth (0.235) month of lactation. Breeding value of animals predicted from FRM and RRM were also compared. The results showed similar ranking of animals based on their breeding values from both models.