This study was undertaken to estimate the additive genetic variances of milk yield and heat tolerance and the genetic correlation between these effects at different thermal loads as a first step in exploring the possibility of including heat tolerance in selection indices for dairy cattle selection in the sub-Saharan African climate of Tanzania. Data obtained from aWhere, an agricultural weather data platform (http://www.awhere.com) was analysed with 15,703 test day milk records of 9,922 dairy cows collected between 2016 and 2020. Temperature humidity index (THI) was calculated from daily maximal temperatures and daily minimum humidity. Variance components were estimated using a fixed regression model with random regressions on a function of THI for additive genetic and permanent environmental effects modelled with an intercept and a slope. Results suggested that milk yield is antagonistic with heat tolerance, and selection for only increased milk production might reduce heat tolerance in this population.
Proceedings of 12th World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production (WCGALP)
Technical and species orientated innovations in animal breeding, and contribution of genetics to solving societal challenges
EditorsR.F. Veerkamp and Y. de Haas
Published: 2022 Pages: 3364
eISBN: 978-90-8686-940-4
Book Type: Conference Proceedings
410. Genomic analysis of milk yield and heat tolerance in small holder dairy system of sub-Saharan Africa
C.C. Ekine-Dzivenu Related information
1International Livestock Research Institute, Animal Biosciences, P.O. Box 30709 Nairobi, 00100, Kenya.
*Corresponding author: cekine@cgiar.
, R. Mrode1 Related information*Corresponding author: cekine@cgiar.
2Scotland Rural College, Easter Bush, Roslin Institute Building, EH25 9RG Midlothian, United Kingdom.
, R.D. Oloo Related information1International Livestock Research Institute, Animal Biosciences, P.O. Box 30709 Nairobi, 00100, Kenya.
4Tanzania Livestock Research Institute, P.O. Box 834, Dodoma, Tanzania.
, D. Komwihangilo Related information4Tanzania Livestock Research Institute, P.O. Box 834, Dodoma, Tanzania.
3Department of Animal Breeding and Husbandry in the Tropics and Subtropics, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstr 17, 70595 Stuttgart, Germany.
, E. Lyatuu Related information3Department of Animal Breeding and Husbandry in the Tropics and Subtropics, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstr 17, 70595 Stuttgart, Germany.
, G. Msuta Related information3Department of Animal Breeding and Husbandry in the Tropics and Subtropics, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstr 17, 70595 Stuttgart, Germany.
, J.M. Ojango Related information1International Livestock Research Institute, Animal Biosciences, P.O. Box 30709 Nairobi, 00100, Kenya.
, A.M. Okeyo Related information1International Livestock Research Institute, Animal Biosciences, P.O. Box 30709 Nairobi, 00100, Kenya.
Published Online: February 09, 2023
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