Presentation on the work of the Animal Improvement Programs Laboratory made to the Department of Animal Science at Louisiana State University in 2007.

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J.B. ColeJ.B. Cole
Animal Improvement Programs Laboratory
Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Beltsville, MD
john.cole@ars.usda.gov
Overview of Animal ImprovementOverview of Animal Improvement
Programs LaboratoryPrograms Laboratory

2. LSU 2007 – Animal Sciences Seminar (2) Cole
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AIPL missionAIPL mission
 Conduct research to discover, test,
and implement improved genetic
evaluation techniques for
economically important traits of
dairy cattle and goats
 Genetically improve efficiency of
dairy animals for yield and fitness

3. LSU 2007 – Animal Sciences Seminar (3) Cole
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AIPL research objectivesAIPL research objectives
 Maintain a national database to support
research on genetics and management
 Provide data for research compatible
with industry needs
 Increase accuracy of genetic
evaluations through improved
methodology

4. LSU 2007 – Animal Sciences Seminar (4) Cole
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AIPL research objectivesAIPL research objectives (cont.)(cont.)
 Develop bioinformatic tools to support
of quantitative trait locus detection,
marker testing, and mapping methods
 Improve genetic rankings for overall
economic merit
 Characterize dairy industry practices

5. LSU 2007 – Animal Sciences Seminar (5) Cole
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National Dairy Genetic Evaluation ProgramNational Dairy Genetic Evaluation Program
AIPL CDCB
NAAB
PDCA
DHI
Universities
AIPL Animal Improvement Programs Lab., USDA
CDCB Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding
DHI Dairy Herd Improvement (milk recording organizations)
NAAB National Association of Animal Breeders (AI)
PDCA Purebred Dairy Cattle Association (breed registries)

6. LSU 2007 – Animal Sciences Seminar (6) Cole
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DHI statistics (2004)DHI statistics (2004)
 4.1 million cows
• 97% fat recorded
• 93% protein recorded
• 93% SCC recorded
 25,000 herds
 164 cows/herd
 21,250 lb (9640 kg)/cow
• 3.69% fat
• 3.09% (true) protein

7. LSU 2007 – Animal Sciences Seminar (7) Cole
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U.S. progeny-test bulls (2000)U.S. progeny-test bulls (2000)
 Major and marketing-only AI
organizations plus breeder-proven
 Breeds
•Ayrshire 10 bulls
•Brown Swiss 53 bulls
•Guernsey 15 bulls
•Holstein 1436 bulls
•Jersey 116 bulls
•Milking Shorthorn 1 bull

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Traits evaluatedTraits evaluated
 Yield (milk, fat, protein volume; component
percentages)
 Type/conformation
 Productive life/longevity
 Somatic cell score/mastitis resistance
 Fertility
• Daughter pregnancy rate (cow)
• Estimated relative conception rate (bull)
 Dystocia and stillbirth (service sire, daughter)

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Genetic trend –Genetic trend – FatFat
-125
-100
-75
-50
-25
0
25
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000
Holstein birth year
Breedingvalue(kg)
Phenotypic base = 424 kg
sires cows

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Index changesIndex changes
Trait
Relative emphasis on traits in index (%)
PD$
(1971)
MFP$
(1976)
CY$
(1984)
NM$
(1994)
NM$
(2000)
NM$
(2003)
NM$
(2006)
Milk 52 27 –2 6 5 0 0
Fat 48 46 45 25 21 22 23
Protein … 27 53 43 36 33 23
PL … … … 20 14 11 17
SCS … … … –6 –9 –9 –9
UDC … … … … 7 7 6
FLC … … … … 4 4 3
BDC … … … … –4 –3 –4
DPR … … … … … 7 9
SCE … … … … … –2 …
DCE … … … … … –2 …
CA$ … … … … … … 6

11. LSU 2007 – Animal Sciences Seminar (11) Cole
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Senior research staffSenior research staff