Calving Ease

Project details
The aim of this project was to examine the feasibility of producing calving ease evaluations for UK dairy cattle using currently available data. To do this the methods of genetic evaluation of calving traits around the world were evaluated. Secondly a detailed examination of the data relating to calving performance in the national milk recording organisation databases was examined with suggestions made on the future development of calving ease recording. Thirdly, UK recorded calving data was used to attempt to estimate both direct and maternal genetic effects for calving ease and stillbirths for UK dairy cattle. Finally, a suite of programmes was prepared to produce a data and pedigree file for genetic evaluations and passed to EGENES. These data were described and recommendations for future development on calvingease evaluations will be made.

Completion Date
September 2009

Lead Contractor
SAC

Funder
DairyCo

Related products and resources
The technical report is available to download.

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