The benefit of native uniqueness in a local red cattle breed from Northern Germany

During last decades, native uniqueness decreased in local livestock breeds due to the introgression of high‐yielding breeds. Recovery of native uniqueness became important because of conservation aspects regarding native genetic diversity and native traits. Thereby the expectation exists, that the r...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of animal breeding and genetics (1986) 2019-11, Vol.136 (6), p.518-525
Main Authors: Schäler, Jonas, Hinrichs, Dirk, Thaller, Georg
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal breeding
Animals
Breeding
Cattle
Cattle - genetics
Dairy cattle
Female
Fertility
fitness
Genetic diversity
genetic gain
Genotype
Genotypes
Germany
Livestock
local breed
Longevity
Male
Milk
native uniqueness
Pedigree
red cattle
Somatic cells
Udder
Uniqueness
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Summary:During last decades, native uniqueness decreased in local livestock breeds due to the introgression of high‐yielding breeds. Recovery of native uniqueness became important because of conservation aspects regarding native genetic diversity and native traits. Thereby the expectation exists, that the relation between native uniqueness and genetic gain is contradictory. The aim of this study was to explore the influence of native uniqueness on performance traits and the total merit index in a local red cattle breed from Northern Germany. Data contained a pedigree file of 178,255 Red Dual‐Purpose cattle, 809 target genotypes and 3,581 reference genotypes from introgressed breeds. Native genetic contributions were tested for correlation with performance traits of milk yield, longevity, foundation, somatic cells, fertility and maternal calving and the total merit index. The study revealed that native uniqueness is favourably related to longevity (0.16), foundation (0.23), and somatic cells (0.08), and the total merit index (0.10). Selection on native uniqueness could probably lead to an increased longevity, udder health and genetic gain of the Red Dual‐Purpose cattle. Moreover, it was shown that the Red Dual‐Purpose cattle was not upgraded through introgression of high‐yielding breeds.
ISSN:0931-2668
1439-0388
DOI:10.1111/jbg.12421