The document presents an evaluation on the traits of stillbirth, longevity, and fertility in dairy cattle, highlighting the definitions, statistical distributions, and genetic correlations related to these traits. It includes data on stillbirth rates for different parities, correlation of traits, and discusses the reliability of the evaluations. Key metrics focus on improving herd productivity through genetic evaluations by the NAAB Dairy Sire Evaluation Committee.

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John Cole and Paul VanRadenJohn Cole and Paul VanRaden
Animal Improvement Programs Laboratory
Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Beltsville, MD
jcole@aipl.arsusda.gov
Stillbirth, Longevity andStillbirth, Longevity and
Fertility UpdateFertility Update

2. NAAB Dairy Sire Evaluation Committee 2005 (2) P.M. VanRaden
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Trait DefinitionTrait Definition
 Percent stillbirths in heifers (%SBH),
analagous to calving ease (%DBH)
 Bases are stillbirths in heifers having bulls
 Direct: 11.6% (bulls born in 2000)
 Maternal: 13.6% (bulls born in 1995)
 Provides “worst case” estimates
 Alternative definitions
 Calf livability = 100 - %SBH

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Stillbirth Scores by ParityStillbirth Scores by Parity
Stillbirth Score
Parity 0 1 2 3 Total
1 491,452 1,340,329 156,464 9033 1,997,368
2 507,370 1,593,228 74,708 7564 2,182,870
3 759,371 2,414,472 117,505 12,723 3,304,017
Total 1,758,283 5,384,029 348,677 29,320 7,484,309

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Distribution of PTADistribution of PTA
7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 >20
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50 Direct
Maternal
%SBH
PercentageofScores

5. NAAB Dairy Sire Evaluation Committee 2005 (5) P.M. VanRaden
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Distribution of ReliabilitiesDistribution of Reliabilities
<=45 46-50 51-55 56-60 61-65 66-70 71-75 76-80 81-85 86-90 91-95 96-99
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80 Direct
Maternal
Reliability
Percentage

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Product-Moment CorrelationsProduct-Moment Correlations
(99% Rel, n = 571)(99% Rel, n = 571)
Maternal SB Direct CE Maternal CE
Direct SB 0.28 0.67 0.29
Maternal SB 0.25 0.63
Direct CE 0.46

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Genetic correlations amongGenetic correlations among
Interbull evaluations for stillbirthInterbull evaluations for stillbirth1,21,2
1
Direct stillbirth above the diagonal, maternal stillbirth below the diagonal.
2
Correlations with the USA use calving ease as a proxy for stillbirth.
CHE DNK FIN NLD SWE USA
CHE 0.71 0.77 0.61 0.66 0.55
DNK 0.78 0.87 0.66 0.93 0.76
FIN 0.76 0.80 0.64 0.85 0.68
NLD 0.80 0.81 0.75 0.66 0.45
SWE 0.81 0.89 0.90 0.62 0.64
USA 0.47 0.50 0.77 0.78 0.67

8. NAAB Dairy Sire Evaluation Committee 2005 (8) P.M. VanRaden
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Correlations among domestic andCorrelations among domestic and
Interbull stillbirth solutionsInterbull stillbirth solutions ((≥≥ 90% Rel)90% Rel)
Direct Maternal
CHE 0.90 0.85
DNK 0.78 0.75
FIN 0.65 0.96
NLD 0.71 0.69
SWE 0.63 0.89

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Calf LivabilityCalf Livability

10. NAAB Dairy Sire Evaluation Committee 2005 (10) P.M. VanRaden
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Flat PL CreditsFlat PL Credits
20 3 4 51
Years
20
140
40
60
80
100
120
0
Credit(%)
321

11. NAAB Dairy Sire Evaluation Committee 2005 (11) P.M. VanRaden
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Lactation Curve PL CreditsLactation Curve PL Credits
20 3 4 51
Years
20
140
40
60
80
100
120
0
Credit(%)
321

12. NAAB Dairy Sire Evaluation Committee 2005 (12) P.M. VanRaden
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PL Heritabilities and CorrelationsPL Heritabilities and Correlations
h2
10 12 None
None
+calf
Lac
curves
10 mo .073 .998 .957 .963 .989
12 mo .069 .956 .961 .989
No limit .067 .992 .991
None+calf .068 .995
Lac curves .070

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Correlation of PL, Other TraitsCorrelation of PL, Other Traits
PTA of bulls born since 1995PTA of bulls born since 1995
Pro SCS DPR Udd
Feet
/ Leg Size DCE
Flat,
305
.07 -.28 .59 .12 .04 -.20 -.26
Curves .10 -.30 .51 .12 .05 -.21 -.27

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PL QuestionsPL Questions
 Flat or lactation curve credits?
 Use data at 40 instead of 36 mo?
 Adjust for inbreeding?
• Curve definition passes trend tests
with or without adjustment
 Increase SD by 1.43?
 Test in March, implement in May?

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Days Open Genetic CorrelationsDays Open Genetic Correlations
Jorjani, 2005 Interbull BulletinJorjani, 2005 Interbull Bulletin
DFS ESP GBR IRL NLD NZL USA
DFS .91 .91 .75 .93 .76 .91
ESP .91 .89 .82 .90 .83 .93
GBR .91 .89 .84 .96 .84 .85
IRL .75 .82 .84 .80 .70 .80
NLD .93 .90 .96 .80 .83 .88
NZL .76 .83 .84 .85 .83 .73
USA .91 .93 .85 .80 .88 .73
DFS = Denmark-Finland-Sweden

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Daughter Conception RateDaughter Conception Rate
Genetic CorrelationsGenetic Correlations
Jorjani, 2005 Interbull BulletinJorjani, 2005 Interbull Bulletin
CAN DEU DFS FRA ISR NLD
CAN .90 .80 .78 .72 .70
DEU .90 .72 .92 .65 .47
DFS .80 .72 .75 .96 .62
FRA .78 .92 .75 .70 .42
ISR .72 .65 .96 .70 .64
NLD .70 .47 .62 .42 .64
DFS = Denmark-Finland-Sweden

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Have Computer, Need DataHave Computer, Need Data