An economic impact of inbreeding in the purebred population of Pinzgau cattle in Slovakia on milk production traits

Abstract

An increase of inbreeding in a small, endangered population is one of the important criterions in the evaluation of the degree of endangerment of the given breed. The aim was to determine an economic impact of inbreeding in the purebred population of Pinzgau cattle in Slovakia on milk production traits. Pedigree information on 1 611 purebred Pinzgau cows under milk recording was used for the analysis. Average production was 3 898 kg of milk, with 3.93% of fat and 3.31% of proteins. The pedigree of each cow was completed maximally to the 4th generation. Simultaneously, the results from a genetic evaluation of milk production traits such as milk production (M) in kg, fat (F) and protein (P) production in kg and the values of Slovak production index (SPI) of 1 611 cows were collected. Cows were born in 1998&minus;2003. The ratio of inbred cows in the purebred population was 5.7%. Their average <i>Fx</i> = 4.225%. Increased inbreeding has a negative impact on SPI and EBV of milk, fat and protein production. The inbreeding depression was &minus;39.60 SKK in SPI, &minus;8.95 kg in EBV of milk, &minus;0.37 kg in EBV of fat and &minus;0.36 kg in EBV of protein.