Agriculture, Vol. 21 No. 1 SUPPLEMENT, 2015.
Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.18047/poljo.21.1.sup.18
PREDICTION OF GROSS FEED EFFICIENCY IN ITALIAN HOLSTEIN FRIESIAN BULLS
Raffaella Finocchiaro
; Italian Holstein Friesian Cattle Breeders Association (ANAFI), Via Bergamo 262, loc. Migliaro, Cremona, Italy
Mauro Penasa
; University of Padova, Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment, Viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy
Maurizio Marusi
; Italian Holstein Friesian Cattle Breeders Association (ANAFI), Via Bergamo 262, loc. Migliaro, Cremona, Italy
Massimo De Marchi
; University of Padova, Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment, Viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy
Martino Cassandro
; University of Padova, Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment, Viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy
Abstract
The aim of this study was to predict gross feed efficiency of Italian Holstein Friesian bulls selected for production, functional and type traits. A total of 12,238 bulls, from the April 2015 genetic evaluation, were used. Predicted daily gross feed efficiency (pFE) was obtained as ratio between milk yield (MY) and predicted dry matter intake (pDMI). Phenotypic trend for MY, predicted body weight (pBW) and pFE were calculated by the bull birth year. The results suggest that pFE can be successfully selected to increase profitability of dairy cattle using the current milk recording system. Direct measurements on DMI should be considered to confirm results of pFE obtained in the present study.
Keywords
gross feed efficiency; correlation; genetic trend; Holstein Friesian bulls
Hrčak ID:
150628
URI
Publication date:
2.9.2015.
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