Effect of sires on wide scale of milk indicators in first calving Czech Fleckvieh cows

Abstract

Abstract. The possible genetic impact of sire on cattle populations, herd milk yield and milk traits (fat and protein) have been described in the literature along with its impact on some milk indicators (MIs) as somatic cell count, urea and ketones. There is a dearth of information on the impact on a series of other MIs (physical, chemical, health, technological). The goal of this study was to assess the possible effect of sire on a wide range of MIs including technological properties in Czech Fleckvieh to suggest future possible breeding trends. A series of MIs (n=37) was investigated in individual milk samples (MSs). 191 effective daughters (MSs) were included. The sire groups (n=13) were well balanced in terms of herd, lactation stage and sampling season. Only sires with >5 daughters were ranked. A linear model of analysis variance with the fixed effects, sire and combined factor (herd × year × season) was used. 19 MIs as log count of streptococci in fermentation ability of milk (log FAM–CS), FAM–CS, log total fine microflora count in FAM (log FAM–TCM), FAM–TCM, solids non fat (SNF), iodine content, citric acid (CA), titration acidity in FAM, lactose (L), crude protein (CP), true protein (TP), casein (CAS), dry matter, Mg and P content, milk alcohol stability, electrical conductivity (EC), titration acidity, casein numbers (for CP and TP), log count of lactobacilli in FAM (log FAM–CL), FAM–CL and pH in FAM were influenced by sire (P<0.05). However SNF, CA, L, CAS and perhaps EC could be newly reflected as information for genetic improvement of dairy cattle with connection to dairy milk recovery and cow health. CA (10.08±1.92 mmol×l−1) deserves special attention. The model variablity explanation moved from 6.97 (SCC) over 29.51 (CA) to 48.32 % (pH) for MIs. This is one of few studies to assess the impact of sire over a wide range of MIs and the results warrant careful evaluation and further study.