Interbull Routine Genetic Evaluation for Conformation Traits
April 2009
Introduction
International genetic evaluations for conformation traits of Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Holstein, Jersey and Red Dairy Cattle bulls from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Poland, Rep. of South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America were computed in this evaluation.
New data (national genetic evaluations) included in this evaluation compared to the routine run in January 2009.
Changes in the Interbull procedures
Data and method of analysis
Data were national genetic evaluations of AI sampled bulls
with daughters in at least 10 herds. Table 1,
table 2, table 3,
table 4 and
table 5 presents the amount of data included in this Interbull evaluation for
Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Holstein, Jersey and Red Dairy Cattle, respectively.
Table 6 gives trait definitions as provided by participating countries.
Estimated genetic parameters are shown in APPENDIX I,
APPENDIX II, APPENDIX III,
APPENDIX IV and APPENDIX V for Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Holstein, Jersey and Red
Dairy Cattle, respectively. Parameters are listed by trait and country.
National proofs were first de-regressed within country and then analysed jointly
with a linear model including the effects of evaluation country, genetic group
of bull and bull merit. Heritability estimates used in both the de-regression
and international evaluation were as in each country's national evaluation
(Table 6).
Ancestor-bulls without own proofs were traced back two generations from the
oldest bulls with proofs in order to increase across country connections and
account for the effect of selection.
Genetic groups were defined according to unidentified parents by national
origin, breed and birth year of the bull and path of selection (sire, maternal
grand-sire, maternal grand-dam). Birth year grouping was by 1-5 year periods.
Smaller groups (consisting of less than 15 bulls) were combined.
Analysis followed a similar procedure as Mace for production traits.
Publication of Interbull evaluations
Results were distributed by the Interbull Centre to
designated representatives in each country. The international evaluation file
comprised international proofs expressed on the base and unit of each country
included in the analysis. Such records readily provide more information on bull
performance in various countries, thereby minimising the need to resort to
conversions.
At the same time, all recipients of Interbull results are expected to honour the
agreed code of practice, decided by the Interbull Steering Committee, and only
publish international evaluations on their own country scale. Evaluations
expressed on another country scale are confidential and may only be used
internally for research and review purposes.
All recipients are also expected to follow the agreed guidelines for advertising
genetic merit. The guidelines has been distributed to all members and is
available on the Interbull homepage (http://www.interbull.org) under
"Publications and Documentation/General information".
Next routine international evaluation
The next routine international evaluation for dairy
production, udder health, conformation, longevity, calving (Brown Swiss,
Holsteins, Red Dairy Cattle), fertility and workability traits is scheduled for
August 2009. New data for the April routine run should reach the Interbull
Centre not later than Tuesday August 4, 2009, 17:00 Central European Time (CET);
in any case, the most recently received data will be considered. The target time
for distribution of results for internal review to designated representatives,
who have signed a confidentiality agreement with the Centre, is Thursday August
13, 2009. Official release date of the results is targeted to be Tuesday August
18, 2009.
Next test international evaluation
The next test international evaluation for dairy
production, conformation (incl. locomotion and BCS), udder health, longevity and
calving traits (Red dairy cattle breed, Brown Swiss, Holstein), female fertility
and workability traits is scheduled for May 2009. Countries wishing to enter the
system for the first time or planning to submit new information (modified
national evaluation procedure, new breeds etc) for following routine evaluations
must have their data tested in this test-run.
Deadline for sending data and validation results to the Interbull Centre for the
next test-run is April 28, 2009 at 17:00 CET.
Means of result distribution from the Interbull Centre
Electronic exchange of data is probably more efficient
than anything else. Currently most countries in the service have established
internet connections and receive international evaluation results on the day of
their release. Subscribers to the service that do not already exercise this
option are encouraged to consider it and establish an internet connection and
ftp account. When such accounts are available, please provide their
specifications to the Interbull Centre. Until then, data will be delivered on
CD-ROM's.
For more information about the international genetic evaluation service please
contact the Interbull Centre:
address: SLU Box 7023, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden; fax: +46-18-672648;
e-mail: | Joao.Durr_at_hgen.slu.se | Phone: | +46-18-671994 |
Flavio.Forabosco_at_hgen.slu.se | +46-18-671974 | ||
Jette.Jakobsen_at_hgen.slu.se | +46-18-671955 | ||
Eva.Hjerpe_at_hgen.slu.se | +46-18-672438 | ||
Hossein.Jorjani_at_hgen.slu.se | +46-18-671964 | ||
Valentina.Palucci_at_hgen.slu.se | +46-18-671987 | ||
Anne.Torsell_at_hgen.slu.se | +46-18-671975 | ||
Jan.Philipsson_at_hgen.slu.se | +46-18-671976 | ||
Dan.Englund_at_hgen.slu.se | +46-18-671968 |
Please use Interbull_at_hgen.slu.se for all communication regarding Interbull services.