Estimation of Genetic Parameters for Heifer and Cow Fertility Traits Derived from On-Farm AI Service Records of South African Holstein Cattle

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Female fertility has gained significant attention and is incorporated in dairy cattle breeding objectives worldwide. Currently, age at first calving (AFC) and calving interval (CI) are the only traits used as indicators of fertility in the genetic evaluations of South African dairy cattle, but these traits are greatly affected by the breeder’s decisions and calving interval is available late in an animal’s life which delays selection decisions. This study investigated the possible use of additional fertility traits derived from artificial insemination records. The fertility traits examined in this study could be used in addition to age at first calving and calving interval to select for improved fertility in dairy cattle. ABSTRACT: This study aimed to derive additional fertility traits from service data and estimate their genetic parameters for their possible inclusion in the South African Holstein cattle breeding programs. Service records (n = 64,464) were collected from 18 South African Holstein herds using on-farm automated milk recording systems. Using a multivariate model, the data were used to estimate heritabilities and correlations among several fertility traits. The pedigree data consisted of information on 18,592 animals born between 1981 and 2013. Heritability estimates observed were low to moderate (0.02 ± 0.00 to 0.24 ± 0.00), indicating that there is some genetic basis for the explored fertility traits to warrant selection. The genetic correlations observed between fertility traits were generally favorable, with some high correlations between age at first service (AFS) and services per conception for heifers (SPCh) (0.73 ± 0.00) and between days from calving to first service (CFS) and services per conception for cows (SPC) (0.90 ± 0.01). Positive genetic correlations indicate that improvement in one trait is coupled with a correlated genetic increase in another trait. The studied fertility traits could be used in addition to AFC and CI to serve as a basis for the selection of reproduction in dairy cattle to minimize selection bias.