Estimation of Heritabilities and Correlations Associated with Milk Color Traits

摘要

The objective of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters associated with milk color traits of dairy cattle. The data consisted of test day records of 9516 first lactation dairy cows and the records of 6358 of these cows that went on to produce a second lactation. Friesians, Jerseys, and crossbred cows were included in the data. Test day records included meas- ures of milk, fat, and protein as well as milk color measured as absorbance at 450 nm. From these meas- urements, fat color and β-carotene yield were calcu- lated.