The genetic evaluation done by Nordic Cattle Genetic evaluation for dairy breeds in Denmark, Sweden and Finland introduces two significant news 2nd May:
New EBV for claw health
A joint Nordic EBV for claw health is published for the first time 2nd May 2011. By using the claw health EBV it is possible genetically to select for a better claw health. The claw health EBV is based on registrations made by claw trimmers in the three countries. During the last year claw trimmers in the three countries have recorded claw health for about 350,000 cows. The three Nordic countries have today the highest number of registrations of claw health worldwide.
Claw health is an economically important trait in dairy cattle breeding. In the routine evaluation in August 2011 claw health will be included in the Nordic Total Merit index (NTM)
Genomic information
Genomic information from about 50.000 SNP markers give significant information about an animal’s breeding value for all traits. Genomic information has been used in the selection of young bulls in Viking Genetics since 2008.
In the 2nd May 2011 routine evaluation genomic information is included in EBVs for all main traits. EBVs including genomic information substitute the old EBVs without genomic information.
Genotyped heifers and young bulls, without lactating daughters have got genomic information included in their EBVs. Furthermore genomic information is included in EBVs for genotyped cows for traits, where the EBVs are based on pedigree information only like fertility and calving traits.
The ranking of top bulls can now be made across young bulls with genomic information only and bulls with lactating daughters. For Holstein it means that 55% of the bulls in top 50 have genomic information only, while it for RDC is 20% of the bulls in top 40 and for Jersey 10% of the bulls in Top 20.
You can get more information about the joint Nordic genetic evaluation:
Denmark:
www.vfl.dk/nav
Contact person: Ulrik Sander Nielsen, Danish Cattle, usn@vfl.dk
Sweden:
www.kunskapsbonden.svenskmjolk.se
Contact person: Jan-Åke Eriksson, Swedish Dairy Association, jan.eriksson@svenskmjolk.se
Finland:
www.faba.fi
Contact person: Jukka Pösö, Faba co-op, jukka.poso@faba.fi
General about Nordic Cattle Genetic Evaluation:
www.nordicebv.info,
Contact person: Gert Pedersen Aamand gap@vfl.dk, +45 21717788