Carlström, Caroline
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Research article2016Peer reviewed
Carlström, Caroline; Strandberg, Erling; Johansson, Kjell; Pettersson, Gunnar; Stålhammar, Hans; Philipsson, Jan
Milkability and udder conformation traits of Swedish Holstein (SH) and Swedish Red (SR) cows from 93 herds with automatic milking systems or conventional milking parlors were used to study genetic relationships to lactation average somatic cell score (LSCS) and incidence of clinical mastitis (CM). Estimated genetic correlations between measures of milking speed (average flow rate, milking time and box time) and LSCS ranged between 0.29 and 0.57 and showed that high milking speed is associated with increasing LSCS. Regressions indicated a curvilinear relationship. Genetic correlations between milking speed and CM showed similar values as for LSCS in SH cows, but were inconsistent in SR cows. Shallow udder and strong fore udder attachment were consistently correlated with good udder health. The unfavorable relationships between milking speed and udder health traits should be considered together with a few udder conformation traits when selecting for better milkability.
Milking speed; somatic cell count; clinical mastitis; udder conformation
Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section A - Animal Science
2016, Volume: 66, number: 2, pages: 84-91 Publisher: Taylor & Francis: STM, Behavioural Science and Public Health Titles
Genetics and Breeding
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09064702.2016.1260154
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/79187