Estimation of heritability and genetic correlations between milk yield and linear type traits in primiparous Holstein-Friesian cows

ABSTRACT Estimation of genetic variability and genetic correlations between production traits (milk yield, fat yield, fat content, protein yield, and protein content) and selected type traits (angularity, fore udder height, rear udder height, front teat placement, teat length, and udder depth) was done using data sets of 10,860 first-calving Holstein-Friesian cows raised in the territory of the Republic of Serbia. Genetic variance and covariance were obtained using the Restricted Maximum Likelihood (REML) method, VCE v6 software, and the multi-trait mixed model. To enable more precise estimates of values for genetic variances and covariance, a relationship matrix was formed for the individual model (animal model), encompassing 21363 animals. The highest heritability values were obtained for milk yield (0.182), fat yield (0.134), and protein yield (0.170). The lowest heritability estimates were for teat length, front teat placement, rear udder height, and udder depth, all being under 0.110. Genetic correlations between production traits and linear type traits were between −0.131 (fat content and front teat length) and 0.307 (protein yield and fore udder attachment). The largest number of traits shows a positive genetic correlation with the traits of milk yield, which thus indicates possibility of genetic improvements of milk yield in cattle without jeopardizing the type traits or vice versa.