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Genomic Predictions of Feed Utilization and Associations with Milk Yield, Body Weight and Activity Levels in an Independent Population of Holsteins
The objective of this study was to examine the relationship of genomic predictions for feed utilization with milk yield, body weight and activity levels in a population of cows that was independent of the reference population. Genomic predictions for dry matter intake, dry matter efficiency, and residual feed intake were developed and performance was monitored for a separate population of genotyped cows. Those cows with high genomic evaluations for dry matter intake and that were expected to be more feed efficient had significantly higher milk yield levels, particularly in mid or later lactation. Cows expected to be feed efficient also had significantly lower body weights. Activity levels in late lactation were higher for cows predicted to have high intake.
Keywords: dairy cattle, feed utilization, genetics, genomic prediction
