S1040: Genetic Selection and Crossbreeding to Enhance Reproduction and Survival of Dairy Cattle (S-284)

(Multistate Research Project)

Status: Inactive/Terminating

SAES-422 Reports

Annual/Termination Reports:

[10/14/2008] [10/15/2013]

Date of Annual Report: 10/14/2008

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 10/13/2008 - 10/14/2008
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2008 - 09/01/2009

Participants

University of Florida - Geoff Dahl - gdahl@ufl.edu;
Albert de Vries* - devries@ufl.edu;
University of Georgia - Ignancio Aguilar -iaguiear@uga.edu;
Ignacy Misztal* - ignacy@uga.edu;
Shogo Tsuruta - shogo@uga.edu;
University of Kentucky - Jack McAllister* - amcallis@uky.edu;
University of Illinois - Roger Shanks* - rdshanks@uiuc.edu;
Iowa State University - Jeff Berger* - pjberger@iastate.edu;
Sherif Attalla - sheri084@umn.edu;
University of Minnesota - Stefan Bloettner - blott004@umn.edu;
Les Hansen* - hanse009@umn.edu;
Amy Hazel - haze0025@umn.edu;
Brad Heins - hein0106@umn.edu;
Tony Seykora - seyko001@umn.edu;
University of Nebraska - Jeff Keown* - jkeown1@unl.edu;
North Carolina State - Christian Maltecca - christian_maltecca@ncsu.edu;
Steve Washburn* - Steve_Washburn@ncsu.edu;
Pennsylvania State University - Chad Dechow* - cdechow@psu.edu;
Purdue University - Mike Schutz* - mschutz@purdue.edu;
Virginia Tech University - Bennet Cassell* - bcassell@vt.edu;
University of Wisconsin - Maria Elisa Garcia-Salas - megatcia@lamolina.edu.pe;
Angeles Perez-Cabal - perezcabal@wisc.edu;
George Shook - geshook@wisc.edu;
Karen P. Tunin Kamogaeuz - kptunin@esalq.usp.br;
Jon Schefers - scheffers@wisc.edu;
Bruno Dourado Valente - bvalente66@yahoo.com.br;
Kent Weigel* - kweigel@wisc.edu;
USDA-ARS (Beltsville) - John Cole* - john.cole@ars.usda.gov;
USDA-CSREES - Muquarrab Qureshi - mqureshi@csrees.usda.gov

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes of the Business Meeting

Chairman Kent Weigel called the business meeting of S-1040 to order at 8:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 13, 2008. Minutes of the 2007 meeting were reviewed and approved.

Date and location of 2009 meeting  It was moved and seconded that Les Hansen, Kent Weigel, and Ignacy Misztal should investigate holding the meeting in Europe and meeting jointly with European dairy cattle breeders, and if that was not possible we would meet in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After some discussion, there was a consensus that France would be an ideal location. The motion passed.

Dr. Muquarrab Qureshi, USDA-CSREES, gave updates on the Farm Bill - Section7406 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. CREES will transition to the National Institution of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) by October 1, 2009. There are six divisions under the Research, Education and Extension Office:

1. Renewable Energy, Natural Resources and the Environment

2. Food Safety

3. Animal Health

4. Agricultural Systems and Technology

5. Agriculture Economics

Appropriations for research will allocate 60% for basic research and 40% for applied research. Integrated research will account for 30% of the allocation.

There was a consensus to share meeting presentations with S-1040 committee members and add to the publication list.

John Cole was elected as secretary for 2008-09. Tony Seykora will serve as chairman for 2008-09.

Roger Shanks will serve as the fall Dairy Council meeting representative and will send out the minutes to S-1040 members.

Report of the resolutions committee [Roger Shanks (chair), Tony Seykora, Steve Washburn]

1. Be it resolved that the S-1040 technical committee expresses its sincere appreciation to Kent Weigel for coordinating, hosting and chairing a most productive meeting.

2. Be it resolved that the S-1040 technical committee express its appreciation to Dr. Muquarrab Qureshi for his commitment to our efforts by timely notification to member researchers of great opportunities at the Federal level.

3. Be it resolved that the S-1040 technical committee thank Geoff Dahl for participating in our meeting as a representative of the southern department heads and chairs.

4. Be it resolved that the S-1040 technical committee expresses their appreciation to Milo Wiltbank (UW-Madison) and Denny Funk (Genus/ABS Global) for their interesting and insightful presentations stimulating enthusiastic discussion.

5. Be it resolved that the S-1040 technical committee thanks Ron Pearson for his many years of service to the regional research committee and express best wishes to him in his retirement.

6. Be it resolved that the S-1040 technical committee thanks Gary Rogers for his many years of service to the regional research committee and invite him to participate as an industry representative in the future.

7. Be it resolved that the S-1040 technical committee thank Jack McAllister for shepherding the project revision though approval.

Meeting was adjourned at 9:05 a.m.

Accomplishments

Objective 1: Develop selection tools to enhance reproduction and survival using field data <br /> <br /> Georgia reported a genetic by environment interaction for the ranking of sires in the warm, humid southeast U.S. versus more northern states. Temperature and humidity data from weather stations can be used to quantify heat stress.<br /> At the University of Illinois, a graphical approach was used to characterize calf survival for sire families. Genetic evaluations for many sire families corresponded to a normal distribution of scores. However, sixteen sire families were found to have a bimodal distribution pattern. These families are excellent candidates for locating major alleles that may influence calf survival.<br /> <br /> At the University of Nebraska, records on 123,639 registered Holstein heifers between 2002 and 2006 were used to compare fitness of models analyzing the effects of inbreeding and age at first calving on milk yields under bST and non-bST treatments. Estimates of genetic parameters resulted in milk yield heritability estimates of 33% reflecting the adequacy of the choice of fixed genetic variance performed in Akaikes information criterion comparison.<br /> <br /> Utilizing records of 90,393 primiparous Holstein cows, Wisconsin reported genetic correlations between gestation length and dystocia ranging between .13 to .39; between gestation length and stillbirth ranging between -.30 to .37, and between dystocia and stillbirth ranging between .62 to .73. Wisconsin is also modeling reproductive data from 108 large commercial farms.<br /> <br /> Iowa reported a joint analysis of days open and calving success to further enhance the identification of cows with greater genetic merit for reproductive performance. The joint analysis enhances the reliability of detecting true genetic differences between cows for fertility.<br /> <br /> Minnesota is doing a genetic analysis of Minnesota DHIA Elisa milk tests for Johnes. Approximately, 45,000 tests were conducted from January 2007 to September 2008.<br /> <br /> Pennsylvania investigated environmental factors influencing survival of cows. Factors that decreased survival included: larger herd size, free stall barns versus stall barns, and being fed a TMR.<br /> <br /> Objective 2: Evaluate the biological and economic impact of crossbreeding on lifetime performance of dairy cattle.<br /> <br /> Minnesota is continuing the analysis of about 1500 crossbred and Holstein cows in 7 California dairies for lifetime profit. Florida is cooperating in this project. Breeds represented include Holstein, Normande-Holstein, Montbeliarde-Holstein, and Scandinavian Red-Holstein.<br /> <br /> Minnesota is initiating a crossbreeding study with ten cooperating large Minnesota dairies. Currently, there are 4185 heifers and cows enrolled in which 40% will be bred to Holsteins, 30% to Swedish Red, and 30% to Montbeliarde.<br /> <br /> Minnesota is also analyzing their Holsteins and Jersey-Holsteins for lifetime profit. Also cooperating with the analysis of the Jersey-Holstein crossbreds are Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina.<br /> <br /> Wisconsin reported that their Holstein versus Holstein x Jersey backcross project is continuing. There have been 98 Holstein heifer calves and 305 ¾ Holstein ¼ Jersey heifer calves born. 74 Holstein and 150 backcrosses have completed 1st lactation. 39 Holsteins and 55 Jersey have 2nd parity records. Holsteins averaged about 8% more lbs. milk for both parities and a lower somatic cell score in 2nd parity. Feed intake will be measured for a 16 week period in early lactation using Insentec RIC system. Virginia is also collecting feed intake data on Holsteins, Jerseys and crossbreds. Preliminary data suggests that Jerseys and crossbreds appear to use a higher percentage of energy for production than Holsteins in 1st lactation.<br /> <br /> Wisconsin is cooperating with a Tennessee study, utilizing data from 38 herds in 14 states that have inseminated Holstein cows with Norwegian Red semen. Preliminary results indicate conception rate up 3.6 percentage points and stillbirth rate down 1.9 percentage points.<br /> <br /> Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina are continuing their collaborative effort of comparing Holsteins, Jerseys and reciprocal crosses for biological traits and economic merit. Virginia and Tennessee are now milking offspring of the reciprocal crosses out of Scandinavian Red and Brown Swiss sires. <br /> <br /> Objective 3: Develop breeding goals and appropriate indexes for optimum biological and economic improvement of health, reproduction, survival, and production of dairy cattle [BREEDING GOALS AND INDEXES]<br /> <br /> At the University of Illinois, two methods of evaluation are to be tested for potential of enhancing breeding goals. One method is Relative Net Income adjusted for Opportunity Costs (RNIOC). The second is milk per day of life. Both methods will be applied to data from the Holstein-Jersey diallel crossbreeding experiment underway at Virginia Tech. Advantages and disadvantages of these methods will be determined.<br /> <br /> Purdue is continuing to develop divergent lines for dairy form. There are current 24 1st generation high dairy form cows and 18 low dairy form cows. The high dairy form cows are producing slightly more milk as a reflection of the higher PTAs for milk of their sires.<br /> <br /> Pennsylvania reported on beginning a large scale study using cooperating herds to measure feed intakes. DNA is also being collected to search for major genes that may influence feed efficiency in dairy cattle.<br /> <br /> Objective 4: Develop and recommend selection and crossbreeding protocols of optimum economic utility for adoption by US dairy farmers<br /> No final recommendations in this area. Results to date indicate that a three breed rotational cross may be optimal for many US dairy farmers.<br />

Publications

Peer-reviewed publications:<br /> Bewley, J. M., A. M. Peacock, O. Lewis, R. E. Boyce, D. J. Roberts, M. P. Coffey, S. J. Kenyon, and M. M. Schutz. 2008. Potential for estimation of body condition scores in dairy cattle from digital images. J. Dairy Sci. 91: 3439-3453.<br /> <br /> Bohmanova, J., I. Misztal, S. Tsuruta, H. D. Norman, and T. J. Lawlor. Short Communication: Genotype by environment interaction due to heat stress. J. Dairy Sci. 91: 840-846. <br /> <br /> Caraviello, D. Z., K. A. Weigel, M. Florent, A. H. Souza, C. Rawson, N. R. Zwald, and M. C. Wiltbank. 2008. Predicting the impact of body condition score on reproductive performance in large commercial dairy herds. Animal Reproduction. (Submitted).<br /> <br /> Chang, Y. M., O. Gonzalez-Recio, D. Gianola, and K. A. Weigel. 2008. Genetic analysis of count data using threshold models. Genetics, Selection, and Evolution. (Submitted).<br /> <br /> Dechow, C. D. and R. C. Goodling. Mortality, culling by 60 days in milk, and production profiles in high and low survival Pennsylvania herds. J. Dairy Sci. (In press).<br /> <br /> Dechow, C. D., H. D. Norman, and C. A. Pelensky. 2008. Short Communication: Variance estimates among herds stratified by individual herd heritability. J. Dairy Sci. 91:1648-1651.<br /> <br /> Dechow, C. D., H. D. Norman, N. R. Zwald, C. M. Cowan, and O. M. Meland. 2008. Relationship between individual herd-heritability estimates and sire misidentification rate. J. Dairy Sci. 91:1640-1647.<br /> <br /> Heins, B. J., L. B. Hansen, A. J. Seykora, A. R. Hazel, D. G. Johnson, and J. G. Linn. 2008. Crossbreds of Jersey x Holstein compared with pure Holsteins for body weight, body condition score, dry matter intake, and feed efficiency during the first one hundred fifty days of first lactation. J. Dairy Sci. 91: 3716-3722.<br /> <br /> Heins, B. J., L. B. Hansen, A. J. Seykora, D. G. Johnson, J. G. Linn, J. E. Romano, and A. R. Hazel. 2008. Crossbreds of Jersey x Holstein compared with pure Holsteins for production, fertility, and body and udder measurements during first lactation. J. Dairy Sci. 91: 1270-1278.<br /> <br /> Hoffman, P. C., K. A. Weigel, and R. M. Wernberg. 2008. Our industry today: Evaluation of equations to predict dry matter intake of dairy heifers. J. Dairy Sci. (In press). <br /> <br /> Huang, C., S. Tsuruta, J. K. Bertrand, I. Misztal, T. J. Lawlor, and J. S. Clay. Environmental effects on conception rates of Holsteins in New York and Georgia. J. Dairy Sci. 91: 818-825.<br /> <br /> Lopez de Maturana, E., D. Gianola, G. J. M. Rosa, and K. A. Weigel. 2008. Predictive ability of models for calving difficulty in U.S. Holsteins. J. Animal Breeding and Genetics. (Accepted). <br /> <br /> Lopez de Maturana, E., X. L. Wu, D. Gianola, K. A. Weigel, and G. J. M. Rosa. 2008. Exploring biological relationships between calving traits in primiparous cattle with a Bayesian recursive model. Genetics. (Accepted).<br /> <br /> Maltecca, C., K. A. Weigel, H. Khatib, M. Cowan, and A. Bagnato. 2008. Whole genome scan for quantitative trait loci for birth weight, gestation length, and passive immune transfer in a Holstein x Jersey crossbred population. Animal Genetics. (Accepted).<br /> <br /> Schlesser, H. N., R.D. Shanks, P.J. Berger, and M. H. Healey. 2008. Graphical approach to evaluate genetic estimates of calf survival. J. Dairy Sci. (Submitted).<br /> <br /> Toshniwal, J. K., C. D. Dechow, B. G. Cassell, J. A. D. R. N. Appuhamy, and G. A. Varga. 2008. Heritability of electronically recorded daily body weight and correlations with yield, dry matter intake and body condition score. J. Dairy Sci. 91:3201-3210.<br /> <br /> Vazquez, A. I., D. Gianola, D. Bates, K. Weigel, and B. Heringstad. 2008. Assessment of poisson, logit and linear models for genetic analysis of clinical mastitis in Norwegian Red cows. J. Dairy Sci. (Submitted).<br /> <br /> Wiggans, G. R., J. B. Cole, and L. L. M. Thornton. 2008. Multiparity evaluation of calving ease and stillbirth with separate genetic effects by parity. J. Dairy Sci. 2008 91: 3173-3178.<br /> <br /> Wiggans, G. R., S. Tsuruta, and I. Misztal. 2008. Technical Note: Adaptation of an animal-model method for approximation of reliabilities to a sire-maternal grandsire model. J. Dairy Sci. 91: 4058-4061. <br /> <br /> Reports:<br /> Gutierrez, G.A., P. J. Berger, and M. H. Healey. 2008. Joint genetic analysis of conception and maintenance of pregnancy in dairy cattle using a linear-threshold model. A.S. Leaflet R2303.<br /> <br /> Gutierrez, G. A., M. H. Healey, and P. J. Berger. 2008. Genetic analysis of days open using a random regression model. A.S. Leaflet R2304.<br /> Shanks, R. D. 2008. A revolution in dairy cattle genetics. IL Dairy Day Report. p. 37-38.<br />

Impact Statements

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Date of Annual Report: 10/15/2013

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 10/29/2012 - 10/30/2012
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2011 - 09/01/2012

Participants

University of Florida - Geoff Dahl - gdahl@ufl.edu;
Albert de Vries - devries@ufl.edu;
Iowa State University  Diane Spurlock - moodyd@iastate.edu;
University of Minnesota - Mohamed Mousa;
University of Minnesota - Les Hansen - hanse009@umn.edu;
University of Minnesota - Tony Seykora - seyko001@umn.edu;
North Carolina State - Christian Maltecca - cmaltec@ncsu.edu;
Pennsylvania State University - Chad Dechow - cdechow@psu.edu;
Purdue University - Mike Schutz - mschutz@purdue.edu;
USDA-ARS (Beltsville) - John Cole - john.cole@ars.usda.gov;
USDA-NIFA - Lakshmi Matukumalli - lmatukumalli@nifa.usda.gov;

Brief Summary of Minutes

Chairman Christian Maltecca called the business meeting to order at 10:20 a.m. on Tuesday Oct 30, 2012.

Date and location of the next meeting: It was moved by Albert DeVries to have the meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico from Oct 20  23rd, 2013. The motion was seconded by Les Hansen and the motion carried. Albert DeVries agreed to make meeting arrangements.

Diane Spurlock was elected secretary for 2013. She was nominated by Les Hansen and the nomination was seconded by John Cole. Chad Dechow will serve as chairman.

Dr. Geoffrey Dahl represented the southern department heads and chairs. Dr. Dahl encouraged committee members to further collaborations with international colleagues.

Dr. Lakshmi Matukumalli, National Program Leader, Division of Animal Systems, NIFA, updated the committee on staffing changes at NIFA. Dr. Matukumalli also discussed funding opportunities including the AFRI Foundational program and efforts to develop coordination federal funding agencies. Feedback relating to the AFRI Foundational Program was solicited.

Dairy cattle genetics forum: The development of a national dairy cattle genetics forum to bring together all industry segments for discussion of emerging issues and strategies to enhance dairy cattle selection was discussed. A committee of Diane Spurlock, Mike Schutz, and Les Hansen was appointed to develop a conference proposal to submit to the AFRI Foundational program and to explore industry interest in such a project.

Writing committee: A writing committee of Chad Dechow, John Cole, Albert DeVries, and Christian Maltecca was appointed to develop a coordinating committee proposal.

A resolution thanking Mike Schutz for making excellent meeting arrangements was adopted by the committee.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:45 am.

Accomplishments

Objective 1. Develop selection tools to enhance reproduction and survival using field data<br /> <br /> - A genetic evaluation of cow health was conducted by NC using producer recorded records. Heritable variation was identified and a preliminary genomic evaluation was conducted for cow health traits. <br /> <br /> - The potential to select for improved feed conversion efficiency and its effect on cow fitness levels was investigated by PA and IA. It was demonstrated that relationships between feed efficiency and fitness levels can vary according to how feed efficiency is defined. Feed efficiency measures taken after the early lactation negative energy balance period showed potential for selection to improve feed conversion efficiency without compromising cow fertility or health. <br /> <br /> Objective 2. Evaluate the biological and economic impact of crossbreeding on lifetime performance of dairy cattle<br /> <br /> - Long term crossbreeding experiments are currently underway in MN. The studies include both high and low input dairy systems and are taking place in both experimental herds and commercial herds. The results demonstrate that crossbred cows have milk yield levels that are competitive with pure Holstein but fertility and survival rates that are higher than Holstein.<br /> <br /> - An evaluation of crossbred cows in low-input grazing systems was conducted by PA. Cows sired by Normande bulls had lower milk, fat and protein yields than Holsteins in the low-input systems evaluated. However, Normande sired cows retained higher levels of body condition and appeared able to mobilize body reserves during periods of slower pasture growth which may help to maintain fertility levels when nutrient availability is limited.<br /> <br /> Objective 3. Develop breeding goals and appropriate indexes for optimum biological and economic improvement of health, reproduction, survival, and production of dairy cattle<br /> <br /> - The impact of selling calves with low genetic merit after genomic testing was investigated by FL. Selling calves with low genetic merit helped to reduce rearing costs from low performing animals and could be economical in scenarios where the number of calves and heifers exceed what is as replacements for the milking herd.<br /> <br /> - An experiment comparing the long-term consequences of selection for high and low dairy form were reported by IN. The high dairy form line appears to be subject to higher disease incidence rates and poorer fertility.<br /> <br /> - The potential to develop an economic selection index for grazing herds was investigated by IN. Lower-input herds require high levels of fertility which should be considered in a grazing index.<br />

Publications

Brown, D. E., Dechow, C. D., Liu, W.-S., Harvatine, K.J., Ott, T. 2012. Hot Topic: Association of telomere length with age, herd and culling in lactating Holsteins. J. Dairy Sci. 95, 6384-6387.<br /> <br /> Dechow, C.D., R.C. Goodling, and S.P. Rhode. 2012. The effect of sire selection on cow mortality and early lactation culling in adverse and favorable cow survival environments. Prev. Vet. Med. 103:228233<br /> <br /> Dechow, C.D. Genomics and trait selection is in its infancy. Hoard's Dairyman. January 25, 2012. p 52.<br /> <br /> Dechow, C.D. Selection for fertility is beginning to pay dividends. Hoard's Dairyman. February 25, 2012. p 125.<br /> <br /> Dechow, C.D. Can genetics improve feed efficiency? Hoard's Dairyman. March 25, 2012. p 208.<br /> <br /> Dechow, C.D. A three-year checkup on genomics. Hoard's Dairyman. April 25, 2012. p 303.<br /> <br /> Dechow, C.D. Domestic comparisons fill in the puzzle on crossbreeding options. Hoard's Dairyman. May 25, 2012. p 374.<br /> <br /> Dechow, C.D. Moving beyond the first generation cross. Hoard's Dairyman. July 2012. p 471.<br /> <br /> Dechow, C.D. Cooperation has fueled genetic evaluations. Hoard's Dairyman. August 25, 2012. p 557.<br /> <br /> Dechow, C.D. Curtail high cull rates with productive life selection. Hoard's Dairyman. September 25, 2012. p 613.<br /> <br /> Dechow, C.D. Large cows have greater health costs. Hoard's Dairyman. October 25, 2012. p 727.<br /> <br /> Dechow, C.D. Can we select bulls to reduce lameness? Hoard's Dairyman. December 2012. p 797. <br /> <br /> Dekleva, M.W., C. D. Dechow, J.M. Daubert, W.S. Liu, G.A. Varga, S. Bauck, and B. W. Woodward. 2012. Short communication: Interactions of milk, fat, and protein yield genotypes with herd feeding characteristics. J. Dairy Sci. 95:15591564. <br /> <br /> Heins, B. J., and L. B. Hansen. 2012. Short Communication: Fertility, somatic cell score, and production of Normande × Holstein, Montbeliarde × Holstein, and Scandinavian Red × Holstein crossbreds versus pure Holsteins during their first five lactations. J. Dairy Sci. 95:918-924.<br /> <br /> Heins, B. J., L. B. Hansen, and A. De Vries. 2012. Survival, lifetime production, and profitability of Normande × Holstein, Montbeliarde × Holstein, and Scandinavian Red × Holstein crossbreds versus pure Holsteins. J. Dairy Sci. 95:1011-1021.<br /> <br /> Heins, B. J., L. B. Hansen, A. R. Hazel, A. J. Seykora, D. G. Johnson, and J. G. Linn. 2012. Short communication: Jersey × Holstein crossbreds compared with pure Holsteins for body weight, body condition score, fertility, and survival during the first three lactations. J. Dairy Sci. 95:4130-4125.<br /> <br /> Becker, J. C., B. J. Heins, and L. B. Hansen. 2012. Costs for health care of Holstein cows selected for large versus small body size. J. Dairy Sci. 95:5385-5392.<br /> <br /> Hazel, A. R., B. J. Heins, A. J. Seykora, and L. B. Hansen. 2013. Montbeliarde-sired crossbreds compared with pure Holsteins for dry matter intake, production, and body traits during the first 150 days of first lactation. J. Dairy Sci. 96:Accepted<br /> <br /> Spurlock, D,M, J.C. Dekkers, R. Fernando, D.A. Koltes, and A. Wolc. 2012. Genetic parameters for energy balance, feed efficiency, and related traits in Holstein cattle. J Dairy Sci. 95:5393-4402. <br />

Impact Statements

  1. The potential to develop genomic evaluations for novel traits, such as cow health and feed conversion efficiency, was demonstrated.
  2. Crossbreeding strategies to optimize milk, fat and protein yields while maintaining high levels of fertility and survival have been demonstrated for high and low input environments.
  3. Strategies to enhance the economic efficiency of dairy farms through use of genomic testing are under development.
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