Mating allocations in Holstein combining genomic information and linear programming optimization at the herd level

C. Bengtsson*, H. Stålhammar, J. R. Thomasen, W. F. Fikse, E. Strandberg, S. Eriksson

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaperJournal articleResearchpeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In this study, we explored mating allocation in Holstein using genomic information for 24,333 Holstein females born in Denmark, Finland, and Sweden. We used 2 data sets of bulls: the top 50 genotyped bulls and the top 25 polled genotyped bulls on the Nordic total merit scale. We used linear programming to optimize economic scores within each herd, considering genetic level, genetic relationship, semen cost, the economic impact of genetic defects, polledness, and β-casein. We found that it was possible to reduce genetic relationships and eliminate expression of genetic defects with minimal effect on the genetic level in total merit index. Compared with maximizing only Nordic total merit index, the relative frequency of polled offspring increased from 13.5 to 22.5%, and that of offspring homozygous for β-casein (A2A2) from 66.7 to 75.0% in one generation, without any substantial negative impact on other comparison criteria. Using only semen from polled bulls, which might become necessary if dehorning is banned, considerably reduced the genetic level. We also found that animals carrying the polled allele were less likely to be homozygous for β-casein (A2A2) and more likely to be carriers of the genetic defect HH1. Hence, adding economic value to a monogenic trait in the economic score used for mating allocation sometimes negatively affected another monogenetic trait. We recommend that the comparison criteria used in this study be monitored in a modern genomic mating program.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Dairy Science
Volume106
Issue5
Pages (from-to)3359-3375
Number of pages17
ISSN0022-0302
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2023
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • mating allocation
  • Nordic total merit
  • polledness
  • β-casein (A2A2)

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