Estimation of Breeding Values for Milk Production Traits,

Somatic Cell Score, Conformation, Productive Life and

Reproduction Traits in German Dairy Cattle
Version: August 2008
Last updates:
- 08-2008: New relative weights in RZG for Angler (Red Breed); yearly shift of base for
relative EBVs for calving traits
- 04-2008: Introduction daughter fertility index RZR; changes in conformation EBVs; new
weights within RZG; yearly shift of base for relative breeding values and new
definition of base for small breeds
- 01-2008: Introduction of new model for fertility traits
- 05-2007: New relative weight in RZE and RZG for Angler (Red Breed)
- 05-2005: Shift of base for traits on natural scale (every 5 years)
- 02-2005:New genetic evaluation for milking speed and temperament
- 11-2004:New model longevity, correlations used for calculation total merit index RZG

Content
Introduction
Breeding values for milk production traits and somatic cell scores
The Random Regression Model
EBVs for Milk Production Traits
EBVs for Somatic Cell Scores

Breeding values for conformation traits

Breeding values for milking speed and temperament
Breeding values for functional herdlife
Breeding values for reproduction traits
Daughter fertility
Calving traits
Calving ease
Still birth rate

Total merit index

Frequency of evaluation
Publishing of data
Annex

Estimation of Breeding Values for Milk Production Traits,

Somatic Cell Score, Conformation, Productive Life and
Reproduction Traits in German Dairy Cattle
Introduction
In Germany the authorities of the federal states are responsible for the estimation of official breeding
values. VIT is responsible for genetic evaluations for the dairy breeds German Holstein (Black & White
and Red & White), German Red Cattle and Jersey.

Estimation of breeding values for milk production traits and somatic cell
scores with the random regression model
The Random Regression Model
A Multi-Lactation Animal Model (MTDAM) using all results from milk recording on daily base directly in
the evaluation model was introduced by VIT in 1996 to estimate breeding values for somatic cell
scores and in 1998 for milk production traits.
In May 2003 VIT changed from the Fixed Regression Model to a new Random Regression Model that
estimates individual genetic lactation curves.
Data base
Test day records of cows with first lactation initiated since 1990 are considered in the genetic
evaluation. All official test day records are included, if
Age of calving is: 20 - 40, 30 56 and 44 - 75 month for lactations 1, 2 and 3, respectively
Days in milk: 5. - 330. day after calving (SCS 365 days)
Pedigree information
Pedigree information traces back at least four generations from cows with own yield records. If the sire
and/or the dam of an animal are unknown, fixed genetic groups are defined representing all unknown
parents of animals based on breed, sex and birth year of animals and on origin (German/western
European HF; eastern European HF plus SMR; North American HF; Jersey; German Red Cattle; other
Red Cattle; genetic conservation population of old German Black&White; others).
Method
The main advantages of using the test day records directly instead of 305-day lactations in the model
are
Using the original yield record on daily base (day 5 to 330 respectively 365 for SCS) from first three
lactations as yield information for evaluation instead of cumulated 305 day yields
Correction of management effects with a herd-day effect and with that the exact management effect
for each cow in each herd at a certain day
Correction of stage of lactation by simultaneously evaluated lactation curves
The special advantages of the new Random Regression Model in comparison to the previous Fixed
Regression Model are
Test day records within lactation are not considered as a constant trait (rg = 0.5 0.99)
Estimation of individual lactation curves instead of a constant deviation from the beginning to the end
of the lactation
The individual lactation curves are predicting the EBVs more flexible, especially when only early
lactation information is available (records in progress).
The genetic parameters used in the Random Regression Model are estimated on the base of a
representative data set of the German Holstein population (Liu et al., 2000a,b).
The Random Regression Model remains to be a multiple lactation model, i.e. the lactations 1, 2 and 3
are considered as genetically different traits.

Reliability of estimated breeding values

Reliabilities are calculated for the Random Regression Model using the multiple trait effective daughter
contribution method (Liu et al., 2001a).

EBVs for milk production traits

Details of the evaluation for milk production traits (milk, fat and protein yield) by the Random
Regression Model are described in the following.
Standardisation of intra-herd-test-day variation
Intra-herd test day variance is standardised according to production level of herd test day and number
of cows being in the same lactation within the particular herd test day.
Data
Table 1 shows the amount of data processed in the evaluation
Table 1:

Description of the data set used for evaluation of yield traits

April 2008
Anzahl Probemelken
Number of test day records
Anzahl Herdenkontrolltage
Number of herd testdays
Khe mit Leistung
Cows with records
Bullen
Sires
Tiere gesamt
Animals in total

1. Laktation
st
1 lactation

2. Laktation
nd
2 lactation

3. Laktation
rd
3 lactation

Gesamt
total

116.154.876

83.536.178

55.981.823

255.672.877

10.017.696

9.693.190

19.710.886
14.735.336
287.158
19.901.701

The model for milk production traits

For all animals (with and without records) breeding values of the first three lactations are estimated
with the Random Regression Model:
3

m =1

m =1

m =1

yijklo = hil + jlm f jlm + bklm aklm + bklm p klm + eijklo

where

yijklo

hil
f jlm

jlm

is 24-hour test day yield, adjusted for heterogeneous herd variance of the o-th test day of lactation l of cow k;
is fixed effects of the i-th herd-test-date x milking-frequency (HTD) for lactation l;
represents the m-th regression coefficient for the j-th fixed lactation curve of lactation l;
is the m-th term of Wilmink function with

..1 = 1, ..2 = d and ..3 = e 0.05 d and d denoting days

in milk (DIM);
aklm and pklm are the m-th random regression coefficient of lactation l of cow k for genetic and perma-

bklm

nent environmental effects, respectively;

is
the
m-th
term
of
the

third-order

Legendre

polynomials

with

b..1 =1, b..2 = 3z and b..3 = 12 5 (3z 2 1) and z = (d 5) 150 1 ; and

eijklmo

is error effect.

Selective 3-times milking is accounted for by creating separate herd-test-day groups within herd
according to milking frequency. Milking frequency is recorded for each test of each cow individually.
The genetic parameters used in the Random Regression Model are estimated on the base of a
representative data set of the German Holstein population (Liu et al., 2000a,b). In the following table

parameters for 305-day lactation yields, derived from the original parameters on daily basis, are listed.
These cumulated parameters are higher then the parameters on daily base used in the model (see
figures).
Table 2: Genetic parameters for milk, fat and protein yield on 305-day basis with heritability on diagonal, genetic correlations above diagonal and phenotypic correlations below diagonal
Merkmal

Trait

Laktation

Milchmenge-kg /milk-kg

1
2
3

.53
.55
.52

.84
.35
.54

.84
.97
.34

Fettmenge-kg /fat-kg

1
2
3

.52
.54
.50

.88
.36
.53

.87
.97
.36

Eiweimenge-kg /protein-kg

1
2
3

.51
.62
.57

.86
.38
.64

.84
.96
.38

Figure 1: Genetic parameters on daily base shown on the example of milk kg (heritability values left;
selected genetic correlations at the right side)
Milk kg: Heritability values on daily base
0,50

Heritabilitt (Tagesbasis)

0,45
0,40
0,35
0,30
0,25
0,20

1. La
2. La
3. La

0,15
0,10
0,05
5

30

55

80

105

130

155

180

205

230

255

280

305

Laktationstag

Milk kg: Genetic correlations between the same

day of lactation in laktation 1, 2 and 3
1,00
0,95

gen. Korrelation

0,90
0,85
0,80
0,75

La. 2 zu 3
La. 1 zu 2
La. 1 zu 3

0,70
0,65
0,60
0,55
0,50
5

30

55

80

105

130

155

180

Laktationstag

205

230

255

280

305

Detailed information can be found in

Liu, Z., Reinhardt, F. und Reents, R. 2000a: Estimating parameters of a random regression test
day model for first three lactation milk production traits using the covariance function approach.
INTERBULL Bulletin No. 25: 74-80
Liu, Z., Reinhardt, F. und Reents, R. 2000b: Parameter estimates of a random regression test day
model for first three lactations somatic cell scores. INTERBULL Bulletin No. 26: 61-65
Liu, Z., Reinhardt, F. und Reents, R. 2001a: The effective daughter contribution concept
applied to multiple trait models for approximating reliability of estimated breeding values.
INTERBULL Bulletin No. 27: 41-46
Liu, Z., Reinhardt, F., Bnger, A., Dopp, L. und Reents, R. 2001b: Application of a random regression model to genetic evaluations of test day yields and somatic cell scores in dairy cattle. INTERBULL Bulletin No. 27: 159-166
Definition of estimated breeding values
The breeding value on lactation base is the sum of the EBVs from day 1-305. The published breeding
values for milk, fat and protein yield are defined as the average breeding value of lactation one to
three, and represent the desired breeding goal of high lifetime production.
The BV base 2000 recommended by INTERBULL is used to adjust the level of breeding values within
breed. That means the average breeding value of all cows of the same breed born in 2000 is set to
zero, and the breeding values of all animals are expressed in relation to their base (base differences
see appendix)
All relative breeding values (RZM, RZS, RZE, RZZ, RZN, RZG) are standardised to a yearly rolling
base with a mean of 100 and a genetic standard deviation of 12 points. The base usually shifts in May
and comprises the currently progeny tested bulls of a breed (at present the test bulls born in 19971999).
Breeding values for fat and protein content
Breeding values for fat and protein contents are calculated on the base of total breeding values for the
yield traits and phenotypic means (F%*, P%*, Mkg*) of cows in second lactation included in the base.

BVfat-kg *100 - BVmilk- kg * F %

BVfat % =
*
BVmilk- kg + Mkg
BVprotein %

BVprotein-kg * 100 - BVmilk-kg * P% *

=
BVmilk-kg + Mkg *

*) Phenotypic means for breeds:

German B&W Holstein
German R&W Holstein
R&W dual purpose
German Red Cattle
Jersey

Mkg 8288
Mkg 7221
Mkg 6490
Mkg 7017
Mkg 5244

F% 4,10
F% 4,24
F% 4,27
F% 4,77
F% 5,74

P% 3,41
P% 3,39
P% 3,48
P% 3,66
P% 4,08

Relative breeding value milk production (RZM)

The RZM is a selection index combining estimated breeding values for production traits. The
production traits are combined with a breed specific weight.
For Holsteins and R&W dual purpose RZM includes fat kg and protein kg in the ratio of 1:4. The RZM
for this breeds includes the protein percentage as well.
The RZM for Jersey Red Cattle (Rotvieh/Angler) weights fat kg and protein kg with a ratio of 1:6.
The RZM for Red Cattle (Rotvieh/Angler) includes only protein kg.
The RZM formulas for May 2006 until February 2007 for the different breeds are:
RZM-SBT
= 89.3 + 0.140*ZW F-kg + 0.561*ZW P-kg+ 5.047*ZW P-%
RZM-RBT

= 89.6 + 0.140*ZW F-kg + 0.561*ZW P-kg+ 5.047*ZW P-%

 RZM-DN

= 97.5 + 0.140*ZW F-kg + 0.561*ZW P-kg+ 5.047*ZW P-%

RZM-Jersey = 92.4+ 0.104*ZW F-kg + 0.622*ZW P-kg

RZM-Angler

= 95.7 + 0.700*ZW P-kg

The RZM is standardised within breed to a yearly rolling base with a mean of 100 and a genetic
standard deviation of 12 points (currently test bulls born in 1997-1999).

EBVs for Somatic Cell Scores

Genetic evaluation for somatic cell scores was established at VIT already in 1996 using the Fixed
Regression Model. Since May 2003, the genetic evaluation model has also changed to the Random
Regression Model.
Logarithmic transformation
Original data from milk recording are cells/ml milk and must be transformed to get a standard normal
distribution:
SCS = log2 (Zellzahl / 100000) + 3

Data
The table shows the amount of SCS data processed in the actual run with the Random Regression
Model.
Table 2:

Description of the data set used for evaluation of somatic cell scores

April 2008
Anzahl Probemelken
Number of test day records
Anzahl Herdenkontrolltage
Number of herd testdays
Khe mit Beobachtung
Cows with records
Bullen
Sires
Tiere gesamt
Animals in total

1. Laktation
st
1 lactation

2. Laktation
nd
2 lactation

3. Laktation
rd
3 lactation

Gesamt
total

119.678.836

85.728.016

57.629.955

263.036.807

9.827.467

9.585.731

19.413.198
14.682.009
286.898
19.833.413

The model for Somatic Cell Scores

The Random Regression Model applied for genetic evaluation of SCC is the same as for production
traits, except calving interval is not included in the fixed lactation curves because no effect was found
on somatic cell scores.
The genetic parameters used in the Random Regression Model are estimated on the base of a
representative data set of the German Holstein population (Liu et al., 2000a,b). The table gives derived
parameters on 305-day lactation basis. These cumulated parameters are higher than the original
parameters on daily base (see figure 1).
Table 3:

Genetic parameters for somatic cell scores on 305-day base with heritability on diagonal, genetic correlations above diagonal and phenotypic correlations below diagonal
Laktation
lactation
1
2
3

.16
.34
.28

.95
.16
.42

.89
.97
.17

Expression of proofs for Somatic Cell Scores

The model provides separate EBVs for SCS in the first three lactations. These three EBVs are
combined into an overall EBV for SCS by index weights of .26, .37, .37 for EBV for somatic cell scores

in lactations 1, 2, and 3, respectively.

SCS proofs are expressed as relative EBV Somatic Cell Score, called RZS. The scale of the relative
breeding value RZS is reversed to indicate undesirable proofs with values below 100. It is
standardised to a mean of 100 and a genetic standard deviation of 12 points (at present the test bulls
born 1997 to 1999).

Estimation of breeding values for conformation traits

Starting in June 1993 linear type traits are routinely evaluated using a Best Linear Unbiased Prediction
(BLUP) animal model. The estimation is carried out for German Holstein and German Red Holstein
together in one run and separately for German Red Cattle.
Data base
The traits considered are 17 linear type traits between the biological extremes on a scale from 1 to 9.
Additionally, the four general characteristics angularity, body, feet & legs and udder are classified with
a score of 65 to 88. The heritabilities are shown in table 6.
The evaluation uses classifications of cows in first lactation since 1984.
Table 4:

Description of the data set used in the current evaluation

Schwarzbunt / Rotbunt
Holstein / Red Holstein

April 2008
Anzahl Tiere, insgesamt
Animals total
davon beurteilte Tiere (Khe)
Animals classified
Bullen mit beurteilten Tchtern
Bulls with classified daughters

Rotvieh/Angler
Red Breed/Angler

3.058.752
1.493.294 / 223.082

21.351

20.964 / 4.274

452

The statistical model for conformation traits

For genetic evaluation multi trait animal models within the three composites angularity/body, feet and
udder are used. The model includes classifier*year, herd*year or region*herd level*year, age at first
calving, and stage of lactation fixed effects and a random additive genetic effect. Classifiers differ not
only in their average scores but also in the respective standard deviations. Heterogeneous variances
are pre-standardised within classifier and year.
The statistical model for the genetic evaluation is
Yijklmn= Class*Yeari + Herd*Year*HF%j + Agek + Stage_of_lact.l + am + eijklmn
Yijklmn
Class*Yeari
Herd*Year*HF%j
Agek
Stage_of_lact.l
am
eijklmn

= observed score
= classifier * year
= herd * year for large herds, otherwise region * herd level * year
(HF% account for herd*German Holstein interaction)
= age at first calving
= stage of lactation
= random additive genetic effect
= random error effect

All known relationships are considered in the evaluation.

Reliability
As shown in table 6, the linear type traits differ substantially in heritability. Therefore reliability differs
between traits within bulls.
Definition of breeding values
The breeding values for linear figures are expressed only as relative breeding values with an average
of 100 and a standard deviation of 12. For Holstein and Red Holstein base is defined according to the
relative breeding values for other traits (at present test bulls born in 1997-1999). The breeds with small
population, Red Cattle-Angler and R&W dual purpose, have a different base definition (all bulls with
EBVs based on classified daughters).
Linear composites and total composites
The breeding values for the single linear traits are combined to linear composites for angularity, body,
feet and udder. For the relative weights of the linear traits within the composites see table 6.

Table 6:

Used heritabilities of type traits and relative weight in the indices

Linearmerkmal
/ Trait

Abkrzung
Extremwerte
Abbreviati/Extremes
on
Milchcharakter / Dairy character
Milchcharakter / Dairy character MCh / DC
derb
scharf/edel
Krper / Body
Gre / Stature
Gr / Sta
klein
gro
Krpertiefe / Body depth
KTi / BD
wenig
viel
Strke / Chest width
St / CW
schwach
stark
Beckenneigung / Rump angle
BNe / RA
ansteigend
abfallend
Beckenbreite / Rump wide
BBr / RW
schmal
breit
Body Condition Score / BCS
BCS / BCS
mager
fett
Fundament / Feet
Hinterbeinwinkelung
HWi
steil
gewinkelt
/ Rear leg set side view
/ RLs
Klauen / Foot angle
Kla / FA
flach
hoch
Sprunggelenk / Hock quality
Spr / HQ
derb
trocken
Hinterbeinstellung
HSt
hackeneng
parallel
/ Rear leg set rear view
/ RLr
Bewegung / Locomotion
Bew / Loc
lahm
gut
Euter / Udder
Hintereuter / Rear udder height HEu / RUH
tief/schmal
hoch/breit
Zentralband / Central ligament
ZBa / CL
schwach
stark
Strichplatzierung vorne
SPv
auen
innen
/ Teat placement front
/ TPf
Strichplatzierung hinten
SPh
auen
innen
/ Teat placement rear
/ TPr
Vordereuteraufhngung
VEu / FUA
lose
fest
/ Fore udder attachment
Eutertiefe / Udder depth
ETi / UD
tief
hoch
Strichlnge / Teat lenght
SL / TL
kurz
lang
Einstufungsnoten / Scores
Milchtyp / Dairy type
Mty / DT
Krper / Body
Krp / Body
Fundament / Feet and legs
Fund / F&L
Euter / Udder
Eut / Udder

Gew. im Index
Weight in index

0,24

1,00

0,41
0,24
0,18
0,26
0,28
0,25

0,20
0,25
0,15
0,20
0,20
-

0,15

0,20

0,12
0,15

0,20
0,20

0,15

0,20

0,07

0,20

0,22
0,13

0,20
0,10

0,22

0,10

0,28

0,10

0,21

0,20

0,26
0,25

0,20
0,10

0,28
0,28
0,17
0,22

In the index 13 linear traits are taken into account as linear maximum traits (as higher EBVs as better).
The EBVs for 4 linear traits (Rump Angle, Rear Legs Side View, Teat Placement Rear, Teat Length)
are taken into account with an intermediate optimum. For Rump Angle, Teat Placement Rear and Teat
Length the optimum is the average (EBV 100) and figures below and above result in the same lower
values for the composite. For Rear Legs Side View the optimum is not the average but slightly straight
legs as can be shown with the correlation to longevity. In addition more straight legs dont cause problems (within a wide range) but curved legs result in more and earlier culling. The regression between
curved legs and longevity is not linear but squared. According to this Rear Legs Side View are taken
into account in the composite index Feet&Legs.
Figure: Weighting of stature, depth, strength, rump angle, rear legs side and teat placement front
within the corresponding composite index

Effect on linear index

40

linear

-40

Sta/BD/Str
RA/TPf/TL
RLS
-80
64

70

76

82

88

94

100

106

112

118

124

130

136

Relative breeding value linear trait

These linear composites and the breeding values for the general characteristics angularity, body,
feet&legs and udder are combined to the total composites.
Table 7: Combining indices for linear traits and scores to composite traits
+ ZW Note /
+ EBV score

Index
Milchtyp /
Dairy type
Krper /
Body
Fundament /
Feet and legs
Euter /
Udder

= verffentlichter Zuchtwert /
= published EBV

50%

Milchtyp

50%

Milchtyp

75%

Krper

25%

Krper

50%

Fundament

50%

Fundament

75%

Euter

25%

Euter

All indices are standardised to an average of 100 and a standard deviation of 12.
EBV total conformation (RZE)
The 4 total composites are combined to a relative breeding value for total conformation called RZE
Table 8:

Relative weights for combined RZE

Gewicht im RZE /
Weight in RZE (total conformation)
Milchtyp / Dairy type
Krper / Body
Fundament / Feet and legs
Euter / Udder

Abkrzung/
abbreviation

SBT/RBT /
Holstein

DN /
R&W dual purp.

Angler /
Red Breed

Mtyp
Krp.
Fund.
Euter

0,10
0,20
0,30
0,40

20*
20
30
30

0,20
0,40
0,40

As all relative breeding values also the RZE is standardised to a mean of 100 and a standard deviation
of 12 (base: A.I. bulls born 1997-1999) within breed.

EBVs for conformation traits are published for German bulls if min. 20 daughters within 10 herds are
included in the evaluation. EBVs for foreign bulls with German daughters are published and replace the
INTERBULL EBVs if reliability is 85%.

Milking Speed and Temperament

VIT introduced a genetic evaluation for milking speed and temperament during milking in August 2004
for Holstein, Red Holstein, Red&White dual purpose and Red Breed/Angler. Since February 2005 the
results for bulls are published.

Data
Data are all information on milking speed from measuring and subjective classification by the owner.
Temperament is based purely on subjective classification. The following data are used in the genetic
evaluation:
- linear classification for milkabily (milk flow) and temperament during milking by the owner recorded during linear description for conformation traits (scale 1 5)
- linear description for teat placement rear and front teat length as predicting traits
- measured milk flow (average in kg/min), DMG.
st

Only data from 1 lactation since 1990 are included.

Since data recording for milking speed and temperament showed a wide range for amount and form
across regions, the database differs a lot between bulls. In the western regions mainly owners classification can be found, sometimes added by measures. In the eastern regions with the big herds owners/milkers scoring is difficult and mainly measures of milk flow are found. In Bavaria and SchleswigHolstein official milk recording is carried out with Lactocorders giving measures for milk flow from
every test. These are included as repeated information. The table shows the amount of data in the
model.
Table:

Data base for genetic evaluation of milking speed and temperament during milking
SBT, RBT, DN und Angler
April 2008
Hol, Red Hol, R&W, Angler
Leistungsrecords gesamt
3.501.122
data records total
DMG-Messungen
2.907.345
measures miking speed

- davon Lactocordermessungen
- from that with Lactocorder

Tiere MBK/MVH-Befragung
animals with scores
Tiere mit Eigenleistung
animals with data
Tiere im Modell gesamt
animals total in model

2.470.514
649.071
1.257.071
2.229.849

Model
The applied method is a Multiple Trait-BLUP-Animal Model. For the trait Measured milk flow, DMG
repeated measures are included as well. The genetic parameters are shown in the table.
Table:

Genetic parameters (Heritability on diagonal, genetic correlations off-diagonal)

Hilfsmerkmale
Melkbarkeit
Melkverhalten
miking speed
temperament
predicting traits
DMG
MBK
MVH
SPv
Sl
teat placem.
teat length
measures
scores
scores
0,79
-0,03
0,10
-0,19
DMG
0,28*
0,00
0,10
-0,23
MBK
0,10
0,05
-0,09
MVH
0,07
-0,26
SPv
0,25
SL
0,29
st
*) repeatability for measures within 1 La. = 0,47

The statistical models are:

for measured milk flow, DMG:

Y ijklmn = B * T * M i + LT j + EKAk + al + apm + eijklmn

Y ijklmn
B*T*Mi
LT j
EKA k
al
apm
eijklmn

observation
herd*day*milking frequency (fix)
days in milk at measure (fix)
age at first calving (fix)
breeding value (random)
permanent effect of animal
error (random)

for scores milking speed, temperament, front teat placement and front teat length

Yijklmn
Y ijklmn
B*Ti
LT j
EKA k
Be*Jl
am
eijklmn

= B * Ti + LTj + EKAk + Be * Jl + am + eijklmn

observation
herd*day (fix)
days in milk (fix)
age at first calving (fix)
classifier*year (fix)
breeding value (random)
error (random)

The Relative Breeding Values Milking speed (RZD) and Temperament (MVH)
The breeding values for measured milking speed and owner scored milking speed are combined to a
total relative breeding value milking speed, RZD. Within this relative breeding value milking speed,
RZD, the EBV measured milking speed and EBV scored milking speed each get a weight of 50%. The
relative breeding value Temperament, MVH, includes only the EBV for scored temperament during
milking.
The base for the two relative breeding values RZD (milking speed) and MVH (temperament) is defined
according to all other relative breeding values, i.e. all A.I. bulls from the most recent three years with
completed test (actually A.I. bulls born 1997-1999). The average within the base is 100 and the genetic
standard deviation is 12.
Holstein, Red Holstein and Red&White Dual Purpose are expressed on the same base. The Red
Breed/Angler has its own base.

Reliability and Publication

The reliability is calculated with the Effective-Daughter-Contribution Method. The published reliability
for the combined relative breeding value milking speed, RZD, is the highest of the two included traits.
Published are the relative breeding values RZD (milking speed) and MVH (temperament) for bulls with
at least
RZD:
10 daughters with milking speed measures in 5 herds,
or 20 daughters with milking speed scores in 10 herds
MVH:
20 daughters with temperament scores in 10 herds.
The genetic evaluation is carried out two times a year in February and August together with the
evaluation for the other traits. Results are published via the bull data base in the VIT homepage
(www.vit.de) and are included as well in the BULLI-CD with all breeding values for published A.I. bulls.

Genetic evaluation for functional herd life (fHL)

Functional herd life (fHL) is considered to be a characteristic describing the health and constitution of
a cow and is evaluated at VIT since 1996.
Data
st
The data consists of records of the productive life of all cows with a first calving on or after 1 January
1980 and with A.I. sire and A.I. maternal grand sire. Cows from West-Germany were considered for
st
evaluation when alive on or after 1 January 1985, cows from East-Germany only when alive on or
st
after 1 January 1991. Data of heifers, that calved less than 365 days before data collection, is not
included in the evaluation. Breeding values for Black-and-White and Red-and-White bulls are estimated in one combined run.
Cows sold for dairy purposes are treated as censored observations. The programs recognizes cows
changing herds if the information can be derived from the data. The observed length of productive life
for these cows is the actual herd life in all herds.
Trait definition
Difference has to be made between voluntary culling and culling related to health (involuntary). For
breeding purposes herd life corrected for voluntary culling is more informative, because it is then a
more precise indicator of the genetic vitality, health, robustness and fertility. Voluntary culling is mainly
related to the relative level of production within herd (high yielding cows get more chances e.g. treatments, re-inseminations etc.). Therefore the productive life is corrected for the yield deviation within
herd (protein + fat kg) to achieve an unbiased trait for the genetic ability of a cow to resist involuntary
culling, called functional herd life.
A problem for selection for longevity and breeding value estimation for fHL is that for cows still alive the
definitive life span is unknown. Animals currently interesting for breeding would be excluded from the
evaluation by waiting until culling has occurred. Thus generation interval would be extremely long and
genetic improvement would practically be impossible. Therefore cows still alive are included in the
evaluation as censored observations.
Method
Survival analysis offers the possibility, to consider the longevity of animals alive up to a certain date
(date of estimation of breeding values) statistically as a censored observation. Thus animals alive are
informative as well as culled animals, but are given less weight in the evaluation because their information is not yet complete. The Weibull regression model is a well-known method of survival analysis and
can therefore be used for estimation of breeding values for fHL. Ducrocq of INRA in France and Slkner of the University of Vienna developed in co-operation a set of programs for routine breeding
evaluation of fHL, which also was made available to the German computing centres.
The distribution of the observed random variable fHL is described through the hazard function

h(tj,l,s,z)j = h0(tj,l,s) * e(x'(t)b+zu)

with

h(t,z)i

as relative risk of culling at time (t) for animal (j) under occurrence of the factors
considered in the vectors x(t) and z
h0(tj,l,s) as base hazard function in year (j) for a cow in lactation (l)
and lactation stage (s)
b
as solution vector for all environmental effects considered in x(t)
u
as solution vector for all genetic effects

The common average risk of culling for all animals in year (j), lactation (l) and lactation stage (s) at
(x(t)b+zu)
time (t), h0(tj,l,s) is multiplied for every animal with an individual multiplication factor e
, which is
defined by all additional environmental and genetic effects. Changes over time in the environmental
effects can be taken into account in vector x(t). Estimation of the solutions for h0(tj,l,s), (b) and (u) occurs through maximizing a probability-function. The solutions reflect the relative risk of culling in all
effect-classes.

Statistical Model
The evaluation in VIT is based on a model, in which a combined effect of a bull is estimated as sire
and maternal grand-sire. Relationships among bulls are taken into account through their sires and
2
maternal grand-sires. The assumed heritability (h ) of fHL is 0.10.
The following information is taken into account through the base hazard function and in the
argument of the e - function of (x(t)b+zu) as effects on fHL.
Parameter for shape of base hazard function'
year * lactation * lactation stage
Random time-dependent effect through the base hazard function

herd * year
Fixed time-independent effect as class variable in (x(t)b)

age of first calving

Fixed time-dependent effects as class variables in (x(t)b)

parity * stage-of-lactation

relative milk yield within herd * region * year

(the selection pressure within herd is taken into account when estimating fHL. The relative deviation for fat and protein yield (with weights of 1:4) of the cow from the herd average adjusted
for parity is defined as effect. Because selection pressure may be different between regions
and years and within years, the interaction of relative milk yield with region*year-season is
taken into account)

relative change of herd size within year

st
(the change of herd size relative to the herd size at 1 January is defined as effect in classes of
10 %)
Random genetic effect as class variable in (zu)
the combined genetic effect of a bull as sire and maternal grand-sire
Heritability for functional herd life is 0.16.
The solutions from this estimation system relate exclusively to the direct fHL (based on culling/survival
information). These solutions are not published, but are summarised with information from auxiliary
traits to combined proofs for fHL.
Combined breeding value for functional Herd Life
The solutions from the direct evaluation of length of productive life are combined with evaluations of
auxiliary traits through selection index to increase the accuracy of the estimated breeding value. Trait
definition and scale are not affected by this combination.
Genetic correlations and the reliability of the information (estimated breeding values) are considered
for selection index. Currently, estimated breeding values for somatic cell score, body depth, feet & legs
score, fore udder attachment and maternal calving ease are considered as auxiliary traits.
Table 9:

Used correlations for information traits on direct longevity and among each other
(Black Holstein above, Red Holstein below diagonal)

Nutzungsdauer direkt(ND) /
funct. herdlife direct
Fundamentnote (Fund.) /
feet&leg score
Krpertiefe (Kti) /
body depth
Eutertiefe (ETi) /
udder depth
RZS /
Udder health (SCS*-1)
Rel. ZW mat. Totgeburten (mTg)
maternal still birth rate *-1

ND

Fund.

KTi

ETi

RZS

mTG

0,26

-0,27

0,30

0,39

0,16

-0,06

0,17

0,02

0,09

-0,32

-0,13

-0,08

0,29

-0,01

0,04

*reversed scale against SCS (higher values RZS = lower SCS)

The following figure shows schematically, how the importance of the auxiliary traits in the combined
RZN decreases with increasing reliability until in the end culling/survival information is determining RZN
exclusively at maximum reliability. The estimated breeding value for somatic cell score clearly is most
important, because it has a relatively close relation to fHL and is estimated accurately already early.
Figure 3:

Importance of source of information in combined RZN dependent on reliability

P I - R Z N d ir
100
R Z N d ir
Type
SCS
m a t . C a lv .
E ase

0
50%

9 9 % r e l.

Correlations and the trait combination are checked regularly and changed if necessary.
Breeding value definition and relative breeding value functional herd life
Breeding values of bulls are published in lists and direct data access as relative breeding value fHL
(RZN). For interpretation purposes approximated fHL in days is published as well. For the approximate
derivation of the survival curves and the breeding values in days-LPL, the average culling rate in the
first lactation for all cows was assumed to be 20 %.
Table 10:

Average herd life (years/days) with different RZN ( culling rate in 1. lactation: 20%)
ZW-Nutzungsdauer
EBV herd life
Jahre /years (Tage/days)

Zeitpunkt 50% T. gemerzt

time until 50% are culled
Jahre/years
(Tage/days)

RZN

ZW-Ausfallrisko
Relativskala

88

1,221

- 0,49

( - 179 )

2,83

( 1033 )

100

1,000

0,00

(0)

3,08

( 1124 )

112

0,819

+0,53

( +193 )

3,48

( 1273 )

The table shows that the EBVs for culling risk and for the approximate days fHL are not linear related
to the relative breeding value RZN.
The base for the relative breeding values consists of the A.I. bulls born from 1997 to 1999 with a minimum reliability of the breeding value of 50%. Relative breeding values of bulls in the base are standardized to a mean of 100 and a genetic standard deviation (of the true breeding values) of 12. Reli2
abilities are calculated as the approximate percentage of determination (rgi ) between real breeding
values and estimated breeding values.
Breeding values for fHL are calculated with every German routine run. The data base for the most
recent run is given in the following table.

Table 11:

Data base for evaluation of functional herdlife

April 2008

Tiere gesamt /
animals total

Bullen gesamt /
bulls total

Bullen verffentlicht /
Bulls published

Funkt. Nutzungsdauer
functional herdlife

7.059.705

42.931

25.270

Genetic evaluation for reproduction traits

In Germany breeding values for all reproductive traits are estimated since 1995. The composite reproduction index (RZZ) includes calving ease, stillbirth rate and fertility.

Daughter Fertility
In January 2008 a new multi-trait-model for evaluating daughter fertility was introduced including new
traits and trait definitions.
Trait definitions
Up to August 2008 the only trait evaluated for daughter fertility was Non-Return-Rate 90 days. In the
new model daughter fertility is described more detailed:
- Heifer and cow traits are (partly) treated as independent traits.
- The ability to conceive is evaluated by two traits, the Non-Return-Rate 56 days and the time
from first to successful insemination.
- With the time from calving to first insemination now the ability to recycle after calving is as well
evaluated.
The detailed trait definition and the used abbreviations are:
NRh/NRc = Non-Return-Rate-56 heifers (h)/cows (c):
Is a re-insemination registered within 56 days after the first insemination (for cows yes/no; for
bulls as % successful first inseminations).
FLh/FLc = First-to-Last heifers/cows:
Time from first to successful insemination in days. Only calculated if the following calving has
taken place within a logical pregnancy length.
CFc = Calving-to-First insemination:
Time from calving to first insemination in days.
DOc = Days Open:
Days open is not a direct evaluation trait, but this Interbull trait is calculated from the EBVs
CFc + FLc (time from calving to first insemination plus time from first to successful insemination).
Data
For the genetic evaluation all matings (inseminations and natural services) from 1995 onward on all
heifers and cows from the milking breeds (Holsteins, Red Holsteins, Angler/Red Breed, Jersey,
Red&White dual purpose, German Black&White cattle) in herds under milk recording are used. The
data from lactation 2 to 5 are used as repeated observations.
Only plausible mating data are used:
- Animal base:
The time from first to successful insemination is only used if the subsequent calving has
proven the last insemination as the successful insemination by a logical pregnancy length.
- Herd*year base:
Only data from herd*year classes with plausible Non-Return-Rates; i.e. dependent from
the size of the herd*year class maximum 3 standard deviations above population average
(separate test for heifer and cow herd*year classes). For herd*year classes with NonReturn-Rates above +3 standard deviations it is assumed that not all matings are reported (e.g. only successful inseminations).
Tabelle:

Datenumfang in der Zuchtwertschtzung Tchterfruchtbarkeit

Data base for evaluation of daughter fertility
Tiere mit
Beobachtungen
Beobachtungen
April 2008
observations
animals
Non-Returnrate Rinder (NRh)
6.863.358
Non-Return-Rate heifers (NRh)
Verzgerungszeit Rinder (VZh)
5.133.715
First to successful insemination (FLh)

Non-Returnrate Khe (NRc)

Non-Return-Rate cows (NRc)
Verzgerungszeit Khe (VZc)
First to successful insemination (FLc)
Rastzeit Khe (RZc)
Calving to first insemination (CFc)

7.713.804

11.585.269

5.746.217

8.347.585

7.824.917

11.762.236

Method
The new model developed by VIT is a BLUP-Multi trait-Animal-Model with repeated observations. The
breeding values for daughter fertility are calculated with correction for the following fixed non-genetic
effects:
-

Herd*year
Month of insemination
Age at insemination
Parity*age at insemination
Status of insemination bull
(young sire/proven sire)*AI-stud of bull*insemination season
Effect of insemination bull

The used genetic parameters (evaluated on German data) are shown in the table.
Tabelle:

Genetische Parameter in der Zuchtwertschtzung Tchterfruchtbarkeit (Korrelationen

im zchterischen Sinne; z.B. NRk/VZk +0,39 = eine hhere Non-Returnrate Khe ist
mit krzerer Verzgerungszeit bei Khen verbunden)
Used parameters in evaluation for daughter fertility
2
h (Diagonale) u. Korrelationen
RZk
NRr
NRk
VZr
VZk gen. Streu.
2
h (diagonal) and correlations
CFc
NRh
NRc
FLh
FLc
genetic s
Rastzeit (RZc)
0,37
6,9 Tg.
3,9% 0,02 -0,05 0,14
Calving to first insemination (CFc)
Non-Return-Rate Rinder (NRr)
0,53
0,15
4,8 %
1,2% 0,63
Non-Return-Rate heifers (NRh)
Non-Return-Rate Khe (NRk)
0,39
6,0 %
1,5% 0,25
Non-Return-Rate cows (NRc)
Verzgerungszeit Rinder (VZr)
7,4 Tg.
1,4% 0,48
First to successful insemination (FLh)
Verzgerungszeit Khe (VZk)
4,9 Tg.
1,0%
First to successful insemination (FLc)
The daughter fertility index RZR and the conception index
Within the summarizing daughter fertility index RZR (R=Reproduction) the four conception traits
themselves summarized in the conception index CON get a relative weight of 75%. The ability to
st
recycle after calving represented by the trait Time Calving to 1 Insemination gets 25% weight.
Both complexes cause about half of the genetic variation for calving interval, but the costs for a prolonged calving interval by bad conception are higher. Beside the lower milk yield longer calving interval
from bad conception causes extra costs for the (re-)insemination. The composition of the daughter
fertility index RZR is shown in the figure.
Figure: Relative weights within the fertility index RZR (R=reproduction)

ReCycle

Time Calving to
1st Ins. (CF)

Cow

Conception

Heifer

25%

12,5 %

NRR 56 (NR)
Cow

Heifer

25 %

12,5 %

Relativ-EBV
Conception

(CON)

Relativ-EBV
Reproduction

RZR

75 %

Days Open (DO)

Cow

25 %

Definition of relative breeding values and publication

All breeding values are published as relative breeding values with an average of 100 in the base (currently A.I. bulls born 1998-2000) and a genetic standard deviation (true breeding values) of 12 in the
base. Because relative breeding values above 100 are defined as positive compared to the breeding
goal, the time values have to be reversed in scale (e.g. relative breeding values above 100 for time of
calving to fist insemination mean less days). The breeding value for each of the five original traits is
published if the reliability is minimum 30% and the EBV is based on at least 10 daughters in 10 herds.
The daughter fertility index RZR and the relative EBV CON are published if at least one cow conception trait (NR cows) is published.

Interbull conversion for daughter fertility traits

Interbull converts the following daughter fertility traits
- Heifer conception (Heifers ability to conceive, confirmed conception)Non-Return-Rate cows
(Cows ability to conceive, % trait )
- Cows conception (Cows ability to conceive, interval trait)
- Time from calving to first insemination (Cows ability to recycle)
- Days open/calving interval (Cows calving to conception).
VIT provides all the single traits according to the definition (Days Open as sum of Time Calving to 1st
Insemination plus First to Successful Insemination).
Because many other countries have only one national fertility trait or at least not all traits converted by
Interbull many international bulls have not all EBVs for daughter fertility on German base. If EBVs for
some traits in the daughter fertility index RZR are missing the index is calculated using the pedigree
index for that trait. The reliability of indices calculated with pedigree indices is therefore lower.

Calving traits
Calving ease
The difficulty of calving is recorded in five classes for all cows under milk recording in all parities. The
proportions of the calving ease classes are transformed to class means on the standard normal distribution for every region*year*month.
Stillbirth rate
Stillbirth is defined as "All-or-None" trait. A calving where the calf was born dead or died within 48
hours is considered as stillbirth.

Data
Calving data of all cows/heifers under milk recording for German Holstein, Red Holstein, Red
Breed/Angler and Jersey cows are included. Data from 1990 onwards was considered for estimation of
breeding values (amount of data see table 13). The actual time span of the data is regionally different
according to the availability of the data.

Statistical Method and models

Estimation is carried out by a BLUP animal model developed at the Bavarian State Institute for Animal
Production (BLT) for calving traits was adapted by VIT for the breeds included in the model. Direct and
maternal genetic effects on the traits are considered in the models. The direct or paternal effect for
calving ease and still birth is the effect of the calf itself (form, size) and the maternal effect is the effect
of the cow (form and size of rump). Subsequent calvings of a cow are taken into account by including
a permanent environmental effect.
Factors considered in the models for calving difficulties and stillbirth are:
- Fixed environmental effects

herd-year

calving month

age-of-calving * parity

sex of calf
- Random permanent environmental effects of the cow

permanent environmental effect of the cow (e.g. consequences of sub-optimal rearing)

- Random genetic effects

direct genetic effect of the calf (size, shape)

maternal genetic effect of the dam (bearing qualities)

The genetic parameters used in the evaluation for calving ease, stillbirth and NRR 90 are presented in
the following table.
Table 9:

Used parameters for reproduction traits

2

Merkmal /
trait

h
pat. u. mat. Effekt

Wiederholbarkeit
(w)

gen. Korr. pat./mat.

( rg (pat/mat) )

Kalbeverlauf /
calving ease

0,05

0,15

-0,10

Totgeburtenrate /
still birth rate

0,05

0,15

-0,10

Relative breeding values

The breeding values on the original scale are based on the cows born in 2000 (mean is
for the relative breeding values is defined as for the other traits (currently A.I. bulls born
2000). Relative breeding values of basis bulls are standardized to a mean of 100 and a
dard deviation (of the true breeding values) of 12. For calving difficulties and stillbirth,
values have to be inverted to obtain desirable breeding values above 100.

0). The base

from 1998 to
genetic stanthe breeding

Reliabilities are calculated as the approximate percentage of determination (r(gi)) between real breeding values and estimated breeding values. Reliabilities are calculated for direct and maternal effects
separately. Reliabilities for the two calving traits are equal, because the data for the two evaluations are
based on the same calving data, and the same genetic parameters are assumed.
Breeding values for reproduction traits are estimated once a year with the August run. The data base
of the most recent evaluation run is given in the table.
Table 13:

Data base for evaluation of reproduction traits (1x per year in August)

August 2008
Merkmal /
Trait

Beobachtungen /
observations

Tiere /
animals

Geschtzt/
evaluated

KV, TG /
CE, SB

29.448.835

38.549.539

191.862

Bullen / bulls
Verffentlicht/ Verffentlicht/
published
published
paternal
maternal
22.306

26.412

The total merit index (RZG)

To achieve the maximum overall genetic gain in dairy cattle breeding, a Total Merit Index is applied to
improve all traits according to their relative importance in the breeding goal. This Total Merit Index is
called RZG (Relativ Zuchtwert Gesamt) and is applied to Holstein, Red Holstein, Red and White dual
purpose and Red Cattle-Angler. Relative weights for included traits were revised in August 2002 and
are different for Red Cattle-Angler and the other breeds (see table).
Calculation of total merit index (RZG)
The derivation of the Total Merit Index (RZG) is based on selection index theory. This is providing the
optimum overall selection response in all traits. The relative breeding values (composites) are
considered as information traits. Included traits, relative weights and genetic parameters are given in
the table.
Within the index program using this parameters and the reliability of the EBVs, for each bull RZG is
calculated with an individual formula. All official EBVs (reliability 50%) are included and RZN when
based on at least daughter information for the auxiliary traits (RZS, conformation).

Table 15:

Parameters and relative weights of traits in RZG

Merkmalskomplex
composite
Milchleistung
RZM
Yield
Nutzungsdauer
RZN
Functi. herd life
Exterieur
RZE
conformation
Zellzahl
RZS
Somatic cells
Fruchtbarkeit
RZR
Fertility
Kalbemerkm.
Calving traits

RZM

Gen. Korrelationen
RZN RZE* RZS

RZR

-0,10

SBT/RBT /
Holstein

R&W dual p.

Angler /
Red Breed

45 %

45 %

40 %

20 %

20 %

20 %

DN /

0,15

0,30

15 %

15 %

20 %

-0,10

0,40** 0,20

7%

7%

10 %

-0,30

0,40

0,05

0,15

10 %

10 %

10 %

0,00

0,20

0,10

0,10

3%

3%

0,15

*)already taken into account in combined RZN

The RZG is standardised to a mean of 100 (base: A.I. bulls born 1997-1999) and a genetic standard
deviation of 12.
Publication of RZG
The RZG is only published, if a bull has an official index for production (RZM), somatic cell score (RZS)
and conformation traits (RZE). For evaluation runs without new calving and fertility EBVs RZZ is
calculated with the most recent EBVs.
The official ranking for top bulls is by RZG.
Standard deviations of evaluated breeding values for RZG and the included traits are given in the
appendix.

Estimation frequency
In 2001 the German Holstein Association decided to cancel the evaluation in November. So, since
2001, breeding values are estimated three times a year (except conformation for Red Cattle/Angler
only May and August). Proofs are published in the beginning of February, May and August according to
the INTERBULL runs. Calving and fertility traits are only estimated in August.

Publishing of data
Bulls get EBVs, if reliability is 50%. All EBVs for all bulls and cows are available in the herd book data
base. The results for the published A.I. bulls (yield: 75% Rel., 20 daughters with 120 days in milk;
conformation: 20 daughters in 10 herds) are published via internet (www.vit.de) and the CD BULLI
(subscription zws@vit.de).
In the sire data base in www.vit.de and the BULLI CD EBVs for all bulls are published, that
are test bulls born not earlier than 12 years before (year of actual run minus 12 years)
all other bulls with 20 new daughters within the last 2 years
and if their EBVs fulfil
Production: 75% reliability (foreign bulls 85%) and 20 daughters with 120 days in milk
Conformation: 20 daughters in 10 herds (foreign bulls 85%).
To be ranked in the official breed top list by RZG the bull must be officially A.I. tested in Germany and
have RZM, RZE and RZS from the national VIT evaluation.
Minimum figures a bull has to fulfil to be ranked ...% are printed in table 21 in the annex.

Tabellenanhang/ Annex
Table 16:

Average EBVs of bulls within year of birth (reliability > 50 %)

a) German Holsteins
April 2008
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002*
2003*

Anzahl
Bullen
777
860
951
1017
1059
932
890
853
826
817
222

Milch-kg

Fett-%

Fett-kg

Eiwei-%

Eiwei-kg

RZM

37
119
219
392
372
478
635
877
894
857
882

0,01
-0,03
-0,07
-0,08
-0,06
-0,06
-0,07
-0,16
-0,14
-0,12
-0,15

1,0
1,5
2,1
8,0
9,1
13,4
19,2
20,6
23,1
23,7
21,7

-0,04
-0,03
-0,03
-0,03
-0,01
-0,01
-0,01
-0,04
-0,03
-0,03
-0,07

-2,4
0,9
4,5
10,4
11,8
15,2
20,5
26,2
27,6
25,8
23,3

84,7
86,7
88,8
92,9
93,9
96,4
100,2
103,5
104,7
103,7
101,8

Milch-kg

Fett-%

Fett-kg

Eiwei-%

Eiwei-kg

RZM

-13
74
35
295
348
492
520
727
674
862
968

0,03
-0,02
0,08
0,04
-0,03
0,00
0,02
-0,09
-0,01
0,02
-0,12

-0,2
0,3
5,8
14,6
11,7
19,9
22,4
22,6
26,9
37,4
30,2

-0,02
-0,03
0,01
0,02
0,01
-0,01
-0,03
-0,05
0,00
0,00
-0,01

-2,5
-0,4
1,2
11,3
11,9
15,4
15,4
20,1
22,3
28,8
31,8

86,1
87,3
89,1
96,1
96,0
99,0
99,3
101,8
103,8
109,0
109,6

Milch-kg

Fett-%

Fett-kg

Eiwei-%

Eiwei-kg

RZM

-658
-311
-304
-158
-103
-149
85
98
-31
221

0,10
0,08
0,21
0,14
-0,03
0,14
-0,03
0,10
0,02
0,03

-22,8
-8,5
-0,8
0,8
-6,6
2,4
1,7
10,7
-0,7
9,7

0,07
0,07
0,13
0,06
0,08
0,13
0,10
0,09
0,09
0,15

-18,9
-6,8
-2,3
-2,3
1,5
2,8
9,8
8,6
4,4
17,1

84,0
92,9
96,8
96,7
97,8
100,1
103,8
104,3
100,3
109,2

Milch-kg

Fett-%

Fett-kg

Eiwei-%

Eiwei-kg

RZM

-392
-158

0,19
-0,07

-7,6
-12,8

0,04
-0,02

-11,8
-7,0

87,1
90,5

b) German Red Holstein

April 2008
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002*
2003*

Anzahl
Bullen
154
167
147
149
164
133
152
141
184
108
9

c) Red and White Dual Purpose

April 2008
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000*
2001*

Anzahl
Bullen
21
19
15
12
13
9
14
7
4
4

d) Red Cattle / Angler

April 2008
1992
1993

Anzahl
Bullen
10
12

1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001*
2002*

17
11
14
14
14
8
9
15
7

20
-13
88
432
323
679
143
497
1114

-0,05
-0,06
-0,01
-0,10
-0,04
-0,02
0,00
0,03
-0,21

-3,8
-5,1
3,3
13,0
11,4
30,6
5,2
24,6
35,7

0,01
-0,04
0,02
-0,03
-0,05
-0,03
0,02
0,04
-0,08

1,1
-3,7
4,7
13,3
7,8
22,4
5,9
20,8
34,1

96,1
92,8
98,7
104,7
100,8
111,1
99,5
109,9
119,3

*Daughters from bulls born in these years partly dont have 2. and 3. lactation. Therefore variance is
lower.

Table 17: Pooled standard deviation of EBVs milk traits for bulls within base (Hol./Red Hol 1997
1999, Red Dual Purpose/Angler 1994-1999)
April 2008
Schwarzbunt
German Holstein
Rotbunt
Red Holstein
Rotbunt DN
Red Dual Purpose
Rotvieh/Angler
Red breed/Angler

Milch-kg

Fett %

Fett-kg

Eiwei %

Eiwei-kg

milk-kg

fat %

fat-kg

protein %

protein-kg

597

0,29

22,8

0,12

17,7

507

0,33

22,6

0,13

15,0

476

0,23

18,4

0,11

16,5

535

0,33

24,0

0,13

17,2

Table 18:
Pooled standard deviation of relative EBVs for bulls within base (Hol./Red Hol 1997
1999, Red Dual Purpose/Angler 1994-1999 except conformation)
RZM
April 2008
Schwarzbunt
12,2
German Holstein
Rotbunt
10,9
Red Holstein
Rotbunt DN
11,5
Red Dual Purpose
Rotvieh/Angler
12,0
Red breed/Angler
*)base 1994-1999
**)base all bulls (since about 1980)

RZE

RZS

RZN

RZR

RZG

10,9

11,7

10,3

9,3

12,0

11,9

10,9

9,0

8,0

9,7

10,7

11,2

7,9

7,6

10,4

14,6

11,5

9,6

8,9

12,3

Table 19:

Base differences between breeds for yield traits and somatic cell count (RZS)
Mai 2008

Sbt Rbt
Holstein Red Hol.
Rbt - Rotv./Ang.
Red Hol. Red Breed:
Rbt Rbt/DN
Red Hol. R&W dual
purp.

Milch-kg
milk kg

Fett-%
fat %

Fett-kg
fat kg

Eiwei-% Eiwei-kg
protein % protein kg

+388 kg

-0,05

+12,5 kg

-0,02

+530 kg

-0,36

-2,2 kg

+307 kg

-0,01

+12,7 kg

RZM

RZS

+11,8 kg

7,2

-1,2

-0,15

+8,2 kg

-3,0

-0,04

+7,9 kg

13,5

+1,3

*) no average base difference because different traits/weights in RZM

Table 20:

April 2008

Base differences between Holstein and Red Holstein for conformation traits
Abkrz.
abbrev.

Milchcharakter / Dairy character

Milchcharakter / Dairy character
MCh / DC
Krper / Body
Gre / Stature
Gr / Sta
Krpertiefe / Body depth
KTi / BD
Strke / Strength
St / Str
Beckenneigung / Rump angle
BNe / RA
Beckenbreite / Rump wide
BBr / RW
Body Condition Score / BCS
BCS / BCS
Fundament / Feet
Hinterbeinwinkel. / Rear leg set side view
HWi / LSS
Klauen / Foot angle
Kla / Ft
Sprunggelenk / hocks
Spr / HQ
Hinterbeinstellung
HSt / LSR
/ Rear leg set rear view
Bewegung / Locomotion
Bew / Loc
Euter / Udder
Hintereuter / Rear udder height
HEu / RUH
Zentralband / Suspensory ligament
ZBa / SL
Strichplatz. vorne / Teat placement front
SPv / TPf
Strichplatzierung hinten / Teat placem. rear SPh / TPr
Vordereuteraufhng. / Fore udder attach.
VEu / FUA
Eutertiefe / Udder depth
ETi / DU
Strichlnge / Teat lenght
SL / TL
Bewerternoten / Scores
Milchtyp / Dairy type
Mty / DT
Krper / Body
Krp/ Body
Fundament / Feet and legs
Fund /Feet
Euter / Udder
Eut /Udder
Exterieur ges. / composite total conformation
RZE

Sbt-Rbt
Hol-Red Hol

Rbt-DN
R. Hol - DP

Rbt-Angler
Red Hol - Ang

2,9

18,5

13,2

5,2
1,0
2,7
3,0
2,1
-2,7

29,6
0,2
-16,9
-28,1
-5,5
-27,1

18,7
8,8
6,3
-6,1
7,8
-6,5

-0,8
5,8
2,8

9,0
-4,4
6,2

-3,3
-6,6
-8,2

2,0

-7,2

4,6

-11,6

-2,5
-13,1

5,4
9,0
5,9
9,4
1,5
2,6
-0,3

23,9
16,7
16,2
17,2
14,9
16,7
-8,6

6,2
5,0
4,3
4,7
3,9
1,9
3,2

3,3
4,2
3,4

19,1
14,9
3,0

6,6

20,5

16,4
17,6
-1,9
10,1

8,5

20,6

7,9

Table 21:

Minimum figures a bull has to have to be ranked %

German Holstein
August 2008
RZM
% Grenze
rank ... %
99
125
98
122
97
120
96
118
95
117
90
113
85
109
80
106
75
104
70
102
65
100
60
98
55
97
50
95
German Red Holstein
August 2008
RZM
% Grenze
rank ... %
99
128
98
123
97
121
96
120
95
118
90
114
85
110
80
107
75
105
70
103
65
101
60
99
55
98
50
96

RZE

RZS

RZN

RZR

RZG

126
122
120
118
117
113
110
108
106
104
102
101
100
98

125
122
121
120
118
115
112
110
108
107
105
104
102
101

123
120
118
117
116
113
111
109
107
106
105
103
102
101

124
121
120
118
117
114
111
110
108
107
105
104
103
102

126
122
120
119
117
113
110
107
105
103
101
99
98
96

RZE

RZS

RZN

RZR

RZG

127
123
121
120
118
113
111
108
106
105
103
101
99
98

123
121
120
118
117
113
111
110
108
106
105
104
103
101

119
117
116
115
114
111
109
108
106
105
104
103
102
100

128
126
125
124
122
119
117
115
113
112
110
109
108
106

126
124
122
120
119
113
110
108
106
104
103
101
100
99

ZW
ZW
Mkg F %
1999 0.67
1829 0.56
1723 0.50
1626 0.45
1560 0.41
1322 0.28
1155 0.22
1025 0.15
920 0.10
833 0.06
746 0.02
658 -0.02
581 -0.06
498 -0.09

ZW
Fkg
67
61
57
54
51
42
36
31
27
24
21
18
15
11

ZW
E%
0.26
0.22
0.20
0.18
0.17
0.13
0.09
0.07
0.05
0.03
0.02
0.00
-0.01
-0.03

ZW
Ekg
58
53
50
48
46
39
34
30
26
24
21
18
16
14

ZW
ZW
Mkg F %
1900 0.78
1601 0.70
1507 0.65
1463 0.59
1398 0.56
1203 0.43
1065 0.34
944 0.27
834 0.21
747 0.16
661 0.12
572 0.07
493 0.03
418 -0.01

ZW
Fkg
75
67
63
59
57
47
42
37
32
28
24
21
18
15

ZW
E%
0.33
0.28
0.25
0.24
0.22
0.16
0.13
0.10
0.08
0.06
0.05
0.03
0.01
-0.01

ZW
Ekg
57
51
48
45
43
37
32
28
25
22
19
16
14
12

Table 22:
Abbreviation:

Besitzerverzeichnis (Owner address)

Adress

BG G.

Besamungsgenossenschaft
Gttingen
Gtzenbreite 10
37124 Rosdorf

Greif.

Besamungsstation Greifenberg
Hochenwanger 10
86926 Greifenberg

Grub

Prf- und Besamungsstation

Mnchen Grub eV
Senator Gerauer Strae 19
83536 Grub

RBG A.

Rinderbesamungsgenossenschaft Albersdorf eG
Bahnhofstrae 15
25767 Albersdorf

RBW

Rinderunion
Baden-Wrttemberg e.V.
Erisdorfer Strae 42-44
70599 Stuttgart

RMV

Rinderzucht
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern GmbH
Am Bullenberg 1
17348 Woldegk

Hoech.

Besamungsvereinigung
Nordschwaben eV
89420 Hoechstaedt / Donau

Rosen.

Lands.

Besamungsgenossenschaft
Niederbayern eG
Gut Altenbach
84036 Landshut

Besamungsstation Rosenheim
Schnfelderstrae 12
83022 Rosenheim

RSA

Landesverband Thringer Rinderzchter eG

Stotternheimer Strae 19
99084 Erfurt

Rinderzuchtverband
Sachsen-Anhalt eG
Bahnhofstrae 32
39576 Stendal

RSH

Rinderzucht
Schleswig- Holstein eG
Rendsburger Strae 178
24537 Neumnster

RUW

Rinder-Union West eG
Schiffahrterdamm 235
48147 Mnster

VOSt

Verein Ostfriesischer
Stammviehzchter
Ostfriesische Viehverwertung eG
Viehhof
26770 Leer

WEU

Weser-Ems Union eG
Kayhauserfeld
Feldlinie 2a
26160 Bad Zwischenahn

ZBH

Zucht- und Besamungsunion

Hessen eG
An der Hessenhalle 1
36304 Alsfeld

LTR

MAR

Masterrind GmbH
Osterkrug 20
27283 Verden / Aller

Meg.

Meggle Milchindustrie
Rottmoos
83512 Reitmehring

Memm.

Rinderbesamungsgenossensch.
Memmingen eG
Buxheimer Strae 104
87700 Memmingen

Neust.

Besamungszentrale Neustadt eG
Karl-Eibl- Strae 1727
91413 Neustadt / Aisch

OHG

Osnabrcker Herdbuch eG
Fckinghausen
49324 Melle

RBB

Rinderproduktion
Berlin-Brandenburg GmbH
Mielestrae 2
14542 Werder

Abbildung: Zuchtwerttrend der Besamungsbullen (Schwarzbunt, Rotbunt) fr wichtige Merkmale

Trend of EBVs by birth year for A.I. bulls (Holstein, Red Holstein)
Schwarzbunt (Holstein)

RZM SBT
110,0
105,0
100,0
95,0
90,0
85,0
80,0
92

93

94

95

96

97

98

99

00

01

02

03

99

00

01

02

03

RZE SBT
110,0
105,0
100,0
95,0
90,0
85,0
80,0
92

93

94

95

96

97

98

RZN SBT
110,0
105,0
100,0
95,0
90,0
85,0
80,0
92

93

94

95

96

97

98

99

00

01

02

03

99

00

01

02

03

RZS SBT
110,0
105,0
100,0
95,0
90,0
85,0
80,0
92

93

94

95

96

97

98

RZR SBT
110,0
105,0
100,0
95,0
90,0
85,0
80,0
92

93

94

95

96

97

98

99

00

01

02

03

99

00

01

02

03

RZG SBT
110,0
105,0
100,0
95,0
90,0
85,0
80,0
92

93

94

95

96

97

98

Rotbunt (Red Holstein)

RZM RBT
115,0
110,0
105,0
100,0
95,0
90,0
85,0
92

93

94

95

96

97

98

99

00

01

02

03

99

00

01

02

03

RZE RBT
115,0
110,0
105,0
100,0
95,0
90,0
85,0
92

93

94

95

96

97

98

RZN RBT
115,0
110,0
105,0
100,0
95,0
90,0
85,0
92

93

94

95

96

97

98

99

00

01

02

03

99

00

01

02

03

RZS RBT
115,0
110,0
105,0
100,0
95,0
90,0
85,0
92

93

94

95

96

97

98

RZR RBT
115,0
110,0
105,0
100,0
95,0
90,0
85,0
92

93

94

95

96

97

98

99

00

01

02

03

99

00

01

02

03

RZG RBT
115,0
110,0
105,0
100,0
95,0
90,0
85,0
92

93

94

95

96

97

98

Figure 5: Description of 18 linear traits