Trend Validation Procedures Applied by Interbull – A Historical Overview

Abstract Text: A historical overview of the last fourteen years of Interbull validation activity for the Holstein breed, including red Holstein, has been carried out. Descriptive statistics for number of tests performed per different trait groups analyzed at Interbull, a list of the most common changes tested during such period and the frequency of their occurrence is presented together with the percentage of the different Interbull validation methods applied. Results showed that national evaluation centers promote more frequent changes in production, conformation and udder health traits when improving their genetic evaluation systems.

Keywords:

dairy cattle

trend validation

international evaluations