Norwegian dairy farmers’ preferences for breeding goal traits and associations with herd and farm characteristics

ABSTRACT

The aims of this study were to investigate variation and clustering in breeding goal trait preferences among Norwegian dairy farmers and to identify factors with a systematic influence on their preferences. An internet-based questionnaire was sent out to dairy farmers connected to the Norwegian co-operative breeding organization Geno (N?=?8222), of which 10.8% answered (N?=?888). Of the 15 suggested traits fertility had the highest overall ranking, while parasite resistance and methane emission had the lowest. Four distinct preference clusters were identified by the means of cluster analysis, of which two had a high preference for milk production. Differences in terms of farm and herd characteristics between clusters suggests a mixture of systematic and intrinsic effects on breeding goal trait priorities. This study shows that Norwegian dairy farmers’ preferences for breeding goal traits fall into four distinct clusters, both affected by herd and farm characteristics along with intrinsic values.     

Asociation of plasma 5'‐nucleotidase and alkaline phosphatase with production traits in chickens: Genetic and phenotypic variability

1. Heritability of plasma alkaline phosphatase and 5'‐nucleotidase enzyme activities at 20, 35 and 50 weeks of age ranged from 0.047 to 0.275.

2. Genetic and phenotypic correlations among enzyme activities at the three ages were positive and high.

3. Genetic correlations of enzyme activities with production traits indicated that the bird having higher activities of these enzyme will grow faster, mature earlier and produce heavier but fewer eggs.     

Asociation of plasma 5'‐nucleotidase and alkaline phosphatase with production traits in chickens: Effects of age and housing systems

1. The housing system, age of pullets and their interaction had a significant effect on plasma 5'‐nucleotidase and alkaline phosphatase activities.

2. Activities were higher in birds in cages than in those on the floor, reflecting perhaps the stress of caging. Activities increased with age.

3. Activities were higher in pullets selected for higher production.

4. The type of housing had no effect on egg production, but age at first egg, egg weight and 40‐week body weight were found to be affected significantly.     

Genetic parameters for milk,growth, and reproductive traits in Guzerá cattle under tropical conditions

Tropical Animal Health and Production - This study aimed to estimate the genetic parameters of milk (305-day milk yield (MY305)), growth (weaning weight (WW), yearling weight (YW), and weight at...     

Response of grain yield and related agronomic traits of oilseed flax to diversified cropping rotations北大核心CSCD

This research aimed to identify a suitable planting pattern for oilseed flax production in a dry-farming region. A long-term field experiment was started in 2012 with a 4-year crop rotation cycle,designed to measure the effects on flax crop performance of previous crop,and various patterns of flax planting interval within the four-year rotation,compared with continuous flax cropping. Crop parameters measured included plant height,stem diameter,dry matter accumulation and distribution,and the experiment included six different crop rotation patterns：Flax→flax →flax→flax［（F）FFF］;Flax→wheat→potato→flax［（F）WPF］;Flax→potato→flax→wheat［（F）PFW］;Flax→ flax→wheat→potato［（F）FWP］;Flax→wheat→flax→potato［（F）WFP］and flax→wheat→potato→wheat［（F）WPW］. Results for the ninth year showed significantly increased grain yield（29. 89%-109. 57%）in crop rotation treatments compared with continuous cropping of oilseed flax. The ranking of the six tested rotations for yield was：（F）WPW>（F）FWP>（F）WFP>（F）PFW>（F）WPF>（F）FFF. The grain yield of oilseed flax was significantly affected by previous crop,frequency and years interval of flax cropping and number of years of continuous flax cropping. Yield was increased by 54. 45%-59. 29% under wheat stubble and potato stubble compared with oilseed flax stubble,and increased by 30. 66% and 109. 57%,respectively,under 50% and 25% frequencies,compared with 100% frequency. The grain yield of oilseed flax under two-year continuous cropping was higher by 29. 89% than four-year continuous cropping,and increased with increase in years interval between flax crops. Correlation analysis identified a significantly positive correlation between oilseed flax grain yield and effective capsule number,branch number and 1000-seed weight. The effective capsule number,branch number and 1000-seed weight of oilseed flax under rotation treatment were increased by 35. 88%-108. 91%,15. 47%-46. 19% and 14. 61%-16. 34%,respectively（P<0. 05）,compared with continuous cropping. In addition,the high grain yield of oilseed flax was accompanied by an increase in plant height,stem diameter and dry matter accumulation and these increases were,respectively,5. 11%-42. 24%,2. 77%-39. 92% and 31. 25%-117. 89% under the rotation regimes,compared with continuous cropping. Reduction in the number of years of continuous cropping years,change of crop stubble,decreased flax planting frequency and increased of interval between flax crops also improved flax crop performance. In summary,crop rotation improved the vigor of oilseed flax,resulting in greater plant height and stem diameter,improved dry matter accumulation and distribution,leading to increased branch number,effective capsule number and 1000-seed weight,and increase in the crop yield of oilseed flax. The results indicated that a multiple-crop rotation pattern was an effective way to avoid the yield reduction caused by continuous cropping in oilseed flax. The rotation： Flax→wheat→potato→wheat performed best among those tested and can be recommended as an appropriate cropping rotation for oilseed flax production in the dry region of northwest China. © 2022 Editorial Office of Acta Prataculturae Sinica. All rights reserved.     

Early and 24 h post-mortem changes in breast muscle quality traits of two turkey genotypes and their reciprocal crosses raised under semi-confined conditions

1. An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of reciprocal crossing of turkeys on early and 24 h post-mortem changes in quality traits of their breast muscles.

2. The turkeys of slow-growing (SG) and fast-growing (FG) lines as well as SF (SG × FG) and FS crosses (FG × SG) were reared with access to free range.

3. After slaughter turkey breast muscles were examined in the following terms: 5 min, 45 min, 2 h and 24 h post-mortem, for: temperature, pH, glycogen content (G), lactate content (L) and electrical conductivity (EC). Quality attributes of the breast meat were evaluated based on chemical composition, water holding capacity (WHC), cooking loss (%), shear force (N) and colour (L*, a*, b*).

4. Despite differences in the rate of post-mortem changes, the genotype of turkeys had no significant effect upon many quality traits assessed 24 h post-mortem. Meat of lighter birds (SG and SF) was characterised by a lower fat content but a similar protein content compared to meat of FS and FG turkeys. In addition, meat of males from these groups was darker. Meat from the breast muscles of heavier birds (FS and FG) was harder.

5. Significant negative maternal effects were determined for temperature of meat of both male and female turkeys, for pH₂ and EC₂₄ of males as well as for L₂, L₂₄ and cooking loss of female meat. Positive heterosis was confirmed only for pH₂ of female meat and for G₂ of male meat.

6. In summary, the direction of fast- and slow-growing turkey crossing may affect the quality of their meat. However, meat of both types of hybrids reared under semi-confined conditions (with the possibility of using free range) was characterised by appropriate quality parameters.

     

Polymorphism of the beta-casein gene and its associations with breeding value for production traits of Holstein–Friesian bulls

Beta-casein A1 protein variant might be one of the risk factors in the etiology of human disorders like diabetes and ischemic heart disease. However, from the practical perspective selecting for the A2 allele in dairy cattle requires knowledge of whether the A1/A2 polymorphism is associated with breeding values for production traits. A DNA fragment containing A1/A2 polymorphic region was amplified and genotyped using the PCR-ACRS (Amplification Created Restriction Site) technique in 478 Holstein–Friesian bulls yielding the allele frequencies of 0.35 and 0.65 for the A1 and the A2 variants, respectively. A linear regression model was used for testing the association between the polymorphism and breeding values for production traits and showed that the allele coding the A2 protein variant increases breeding values for milk and protein yield and decreases breeding values for fat percentage in milk. Genotyping A.I. bulls at beta-casein locus and preferring A2 allele may lead to two benefits: increasing breeding value for protein yield and decreasing frequency of A1 protein variant, being considered as risk factor for human health.     

Effects of dietary dried baker’s yeast on the performance,egg traits and blood parameters in laying quails

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary dried baker’s yeast on laying performance, egg traits and some blood parameters of quails. In the experiment a total of 342 Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) aged ten weeks were equally divided into six groups of 57 (three replicates of 19 quails each). Six levels (0, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20%) of dried baker’s yeast were included in isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets. The experimental period lasted 14 weeks. At the end of the experiment, there were no significant differences among the groups in body weight, feed intake, protein intake, egg production, feed efficiency, egg yolk index and egg haugh unit. Blood serum levels of total protein, triglyceride and cholesterol were not affected by dietary dried baker’s yeast. Diets containing 4 and 8% of dried baker’s yeast increased the egg weight significantly (p < 0.01). The inclusion of dried baker’s yeast at the level of 20% to the diets reduced egg shell thickness and egg albumen height. It is concluded that dried baker’s yeast can be used up to 16% in the diets of laying quails without adverse effects on the measured parameters.     

The effect of sex and genotype on growth performance,feed efficiency,and carcass traits of local sheep group Pantaneiro and Texel or Santa Inês crossbred finished on feedlot

This study aimed to assess and compare the growth performance, feed efficiency, and carcass traits of Pantaneiro sheep and their Texel and Santa Inês crossbreds. Ninety-six lambs, fifty-one males, and forty-five females, with a mean weaning weight of 15.21?±?1.25 kg and 78?±?13 days of age, were slaughtered at a 32-kg body weight. The results showed better production efficiency from males compared with females. Texel-crossed lambs had a better growth performance than the other genotypes. The Texel?×?Pantaneiro lambs were more efficient with a better feedlot performance, higher ribeye muscle area, and better carcass characteristics with an adequate amount of fat cover. Pantaneiro lambs and their crosses with meat breeds could be useful in meat production systems under Savanna environmental conditions.     

Genetic parameters for energy balance, fat /protein ratio, body condition score and disease traits in German Holstein cows

Various health problems in dairy cows have been related to the magnitude and duration of the energy deficit post partum. Energy balance indicator traits like fat/protein ratio in milk and body condition score could be used in selection programmes to help predicting breeding values for health traits, but currently there is a lack of appropriate genetic parameters. Therefore, genetic correlations among energy balance, fat/protein ratio, and body condition score, and mastitis, claw and leg diseases, and metabolic disorders were estimated using linear and threshold models on data from 1693 primiparous cows recorded within the first 180 days in milk. Average daily energy balance, milk fat/protein ratio and body condition score were 8 MJ NEL, 1.13 and 2.94, respectively. Disease frequencies (% cows with at least one case) were 24.6% for mastitis, 9.7% for metabolic disorders and 28.2% for claw and leg diseases. Heritability estimates were 0.06, 0.30 and 0.34 for energy balance, fat/protein ratio and body condition score, respectively. For the disease traits, heritabilities ranged between 0.04 and 0.15. The genetic correlations were, in general, associated with large standard errors, but, although not significant, the results suggest that an improvement of overall health can be expected if energy balance traits are included into future breeding programmes. A low fat/protein ratio might serve as an indicator for metabolic stability and health of claw and legs. Between body condition and mastitis, a significant negative correlation of -0.40 was estimated. The study provides a new insight into the role energy balance traits can play as auxiliary traits for robustness of dairy cows. It was concluded that both, fat/protein ratio and body condition score, are potential variables to describe how well cows can adapt to the challenge of early lactation. However, the genetic parameters should be re-estimated on a more comprehensive data set.     

Cloning,expression, and polymorphism at the 5ʹ-flanking region of the GnRH gene and their association with laying traits in Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata)

1. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), a neuropeptide, plays a vital role in the hypothalamus–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis. In vertebrates, GnRH is crucial for the onset of sexual development and the entire reproductive process. The purpose of this study was to identify genetic factors associated with egg-laying traits of Muscovy ducks.

2. The full-length cDNA (474 bp) of Muscovy duck GnRH was obtained and characterised. It encodes 92 amino acids containing a 1-amino acid signal peptide cleavage site. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Muscovy duck GnRH has a close relationship with Anas platyrhynchos GnRH.

3. GnRH showed significantly different expression profiles between 4 developmental periods in the hypothalamus, pituitary, and ovary. The expression of GnRH in the laying period (36 weeks) was higher than at other periods in the three tissues. GnRH was widely expressed in 12 examined tissues of nesting and laying Muscovy ducks. In the hypothalamus, pituitary and gonads, the expression of GnRH was higher than in other tissues.

4. In laying Muscovy ducks, the expression of GnRH in the hypothalamus, pituitary, ovary, muscular stomach, pancreas, heart, duodenum and spleen was significantly higher than in nesting dusks. Differences were detected in the liver and glandular stomach between laying ducks and nesting ducks. Differences between the kidney and lung were not significant.

5. In the pituitary, the GnRH and GnRH receptor (GnRHR) genes shared the same expression profiles during 4 time points. Both genes had the highest expression at 36 weeks of age.

6. A mutation (g.206G > A) in the 5?-flanking region was associated with egg-laying performance. Individuals with genotype GG had better egg-laying performance than the individuals with genotype AA. GnRH may be used as a marker gene for laying performance in the Muscovy duck.

     

A single-nucleotide polymorphism in the 3′ untranslated region of the LPIN1 gene and association analysis with performance traits in chicken

1. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), c.*77C>G, was found in the 3′ UTR of the chicken LPIN1 gene by DNA sequencing. In total, 860 chickens were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in a F2 resource population obtained by crossing F0 Gushi chickens and Anka broilers, and the associations of this polymorphism with chicken growth, carcass, muscle fibre traits and serum biochemistry parameters were analysed.

2. Significant associations were found between the polymorphism and breast muscle fibre diameter (FDB). Comparison of the different genotypes of c.*77C>G in the F2 resource population showed that the GG genotype had significantly higher values than that of CG genotype in FDB. c.*77C>G was predicted to cause changes to multiple microRNA (miRNA) binding sites. But the total mRNA level of chicken LPIN1, LPIN1-;α and LPIN1-β in liver and muscle tissues did not show significant difference among GG, CG and CC genotypes, respectively.

3. The results suggested that chicken LPIN1 has a potential effect on muscle fibre development, but no effect on other studied traits.     

Genetic parameters for somatic cell count (SCC) and milk production traits of Guzerá cows using data normalized by different procedures

Tropical Animal Health and Production - This study aimed to estimate the genetic parameters for somatic cell count (SCC) and the genetic association between SCC and milk production traits using two...     

Evaluation of the relationship between personality traits, experience, education and biosecurity compliance on poultry farms in Québec, Canada

Biosecurity compliance is an issue in all types of animal production. Poor compliance is frequently related to lack of knowledge or comprehension. Human dimensions, such as personality and attitudes were also suggested as being related to compliance. As part of a larger study, personality traits, experience, education and training of employees, visitors and growers were evaluated to assess their relationship with their compliance with biosecurity measures when entering and exiting poultry barns. Biosecurity compliance was evaluated using hidden cameras. One hundred fourteen individuals involved in a total of 2379 visits on 23 poultry farms responded to a personality test. Results demonstrated that several determinants of compliance exist, and some are related to personality, experience and education. Three personality traits were significantly associated with compliance: responsibility, complexity and action-oriented. Such information has important implications for the selection of job applicants or task attribution and to enhance effectiveness of training programs.     

Evaluation of agronomic traits and nutrient absorption of an F4 recombinant inbred line of Chinese milk vetch (Astragalus sinicus)北大核心CSCD

In this research an F4 inbred line of Chinese milk vetch was constructed using Minzi No.7 milk vetch (Astragalus sinicus) as the female parent and the variety Xinyang as the male parent. For 18 strains in this population, the agronomic traits and nutrient absorption status were evaluated in a pot experiment at the full flowering stage, in order to use the results as a reference for screening superior milk vetch strains. Differences between plant strains were found. Correlation analysis showed that fresh weight, dry weight and accumulation of nitrogen, phosphorus and kalium were highly correlated, and were drivers of plant nutrient absorption, while plant height, branch number and leaf number were important factors affecting the fresh weight and dry weight of the plant. Principal component analysis showed that the main indexes such as shoot fresh and dry weights, and accumulation of nitrogen, phosphorus and kalium in the shoots could be used as indexes of Chinese milk vetch performance. In cluster analysis with the distance coefficient d=25, the 18 tested strains could be classified into three groups, of which Group Ⅰ had 4 strains (m83xzh-1-4-4, m83xzh-1-4-6, m83xzh-1-4-8, and m83xzh-1-4-13) with excellent multivariate trait scores. The best performing Chinese milk vetch strain in this evaluation was m83xzh-1-4-4. For this strain, the total plant nitrogen, phosphorus and kalium nutrient accumulation, accumulation of phosphorus and kalium in the shoots and accumulation of nitrogen and kalium in the roots were highest among the18 strains tested and were 11.00 mg·pot-1, 145.18 mg·pot-1, 22.15 mg·pot-1 and 15.27 mg·pot-1, respectively. The herbage fresh yield of m83xzh-1-4-4 was 44.63 g·pot-1 and ranked second among the 18 strains tested. This study provides technical data which may be useful in future breeding work to develop new milk vetch varieties. © 2022, Editorial Office of Acta Prataculturae Sinica. All rights reserved.