Estimation of genetic parameters of first lactation production and reproduction traits in Iranian Holstein dairy cows

In this study, records of 64220 first lactation dairy cows were used. Data were collected from 749 herds during 1996 to 2009 by the Animal Breeding Center of Iran. Data included of production (305 d milk yield, 305 d fat percentage, 305 d protein percentage and lactation length) and reproduction (dry days, age at first calving, calving interval and days open) traits. Data analysis was performed by restricted maximum likelihood procedure using DFREML software. The estimated heritabilities of milk yield, fat percentage and protein percentage and lactation length were 0.197, 0.282, 0.333 and 0.031, respectively. The estimated heritabilites of dry days, age at first calving, calving interval and days open were 0.015, 0.079, 0.035 and 0.036, respectively. Genetic correlations between production traits were from 0.52 for milk yield and fat percentage to 0.74 for fat percentage and protein percentage. Genetic correlations between reproduction traits were from 0.07 (age at first calving and calving interval) to 0.95 (dry days and calving interval). Estimated genetic correlation between production and reproduction traits were from -0.63 (milk yield and dry days) to 0.96 (lactation length calving interval). Considering negative genetic correlation between production and reproduction traits, planning of selection programs in dairy cows based on a combination of production and reproduction traits is recommendable.