Relationships between conformation traits and longevity of Holstein cows in the Czech Republic

Abstract

The relationships between conformation traits and longevity traits were analyzed in 41 489 Holstein cows born in the years 1994-1999 which were culled by 30th June 2005. Pearson correlation coefficients between type traits and the herd life or productive life of cows were calculated. The effects of type trait scoring level on the length of productive life were described by means of analyses of variance. The observed correlations between herd life or productive life and type traits are in the range of -0.061 to 0.160. Negative correlations were found for rump angle, rear leg set, udder depth, and teat length. Most of the body traits had slightly positive relationships to herd life, indicating that larger cows live longer. However, body depth and chest width did not have a linear relation to longevity traits. The longest productive life was found in cows undersized in chest width and body depth (P < 0.01). A similar dependence was also found for rump width (P < 0.01). The ideal rear leg set for longevity was scored as average or below average, i.e. moderately curved or slightly straight legs (P < 0.05). Cows with well-attached fore udder, high attached rear udder, strong central ligament, close front teat placement, and with moderately long teats showed the longest functional productive life (P < 0.05-0.001). Linear relationships between longevity traits and general conformation characteristics were found as well.