A comparison between single and composite milk samples for the genetic evaluation of milk composition in dairy cattle

Abstract

A simulation study was carried out to compare the use of single and composite milk samples for the evaluation of milk composition in dairy cattle. The genetic correlation between the two sampling methods was estimated. Results showed a high genetic correlation between the breeding values arrived from composite and single samples. This indicates that the same genes are possibly responsible for both traits, which makes it possible to use a single sample, instead of a composite sample, in predicting breeding values.


South African Journal of Animal Science Vol.32(1) 2002: 44-49