What makes a cow genetically valuable in a particular production system? This article explains SA Stud Book?s Cow Value index, which combines several sub-values to help breeders identify females with the genetic potential for fertility, calving ease, calf growth, milk production, maintenance efficiency and longevity. It highlights why the ideal cow differs between extensive and intensive environments, and why breeders should interpret the component values in relation to their own management and breeding objectives. The article also discusses fertility measures, including age at first calving and inter-calving periods, and shows how heritabilities and genetic correlations influence the traits included in the index.
Download this publication
PDF · 2 MB
