Genetic evaluation of Frieswal cattle for first lactation milk yield from smallholder dairy production systems in Kerala, India

Abstract

The present investigation was undertaken to determine the genetic worth of Frieswal (62.5% HF x 37.5% Sahiwal) young bulls through progeny testing under field conditions in Kerala state, India. A total of 65 Frieswal bulls were evaluated based on 1037 first lactation records of their daughters calved over a period of 15 years from 1995 to 2010 were used for the study. The overall average breeding value for the first lactation 305-days milk yield was estimated as 2229.19 +/- 50.91 kg with a range of 2193.74 +/- 66.59 to 2280.62 +/- 66.59 kg. Out of 65 bulls inducted in 7 different sets, 33 bulls (50.7%) had breeding values higher than the herd average (2229.19 kg). The number of daughters per bull varied from 7 to 51 whereas the average number of daughters per bull was 16. The genetic superiority and percentage genetic superiority of the top 25 bulls (38.46%) over population ranged from 6.26 to 51.43 and 0.28 to 2.30, respectively. The least squares analysis of variance revealed that the year of calving had a significant effect on the first lactation milk yield of daughters. The increasing trend of first lactation milk yield over year / bull set observed in the present study indicates the successful implementation of large-scale progeny testing programme under field conditions.