University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) - Research portal
Gewählte Master / Diploma Thesis:
Bernhard Rinnhofer
(2008):
Einflüsse der Haltungsumwelt und der Genetik auf das gegenseitige Besaugen beim Rind.
Master / Diploma Thesis,
BOKU-Universität für Bodenkultur,
pp 92 Seiten.
UB BOKU
obvsg
FullText
- Abstract:
- The aim of this study was to investigate inter-sucking and cross-sucking of dairy cattle with regard to the influence of environmental and management factors as well as genetic parameters. For this purpose, a questionnaire about the housing and feeding conditions was given to all farms in Lower Austria which belonged to the milk recording scheme. The questionnaire was carried out by the person who is responsible for the milk recording. Another aim of this study was to get some information about the current situation regarding inter- and cross-sucking on the farms. Out of the 4300 farmers in Lower Austria, 2800 completed the questionnaire. In order to get also some genetic information, the farmers had to identify the animals which show this behaviour by the eartag number. The collected data was entered into Excel and the analysis was done using the statistical program SAS (2003). To estimate the genetic parameters the program VCE5 was used and breeding value estimates were obtained using the program PEST. In the descriptive analysis it was very difficult to get some clear results because the problem is influenced by many factors. However, it was possible to describe the current situation and it was very interesting that only one third of the farmers did not declare to have a problem with inter- or cross-sucking. The problem will also be reduced if the duration of milk intake will increase or the calves are weaned later on. Another significant influence was the breed. Inter- and cross-sucking was less frequently mentioned by Holstein Friesian farmers as compared to Brown Swiss and Simmental farmers. There was no significant difference between Brown Swiss and Simmental. Heritability for inter/cross-sucking was 0.037 which is in the range of fitness traits such as fertility. Breeding values differed markedly between bulls. Therefore inter- and cross-sucking may be improved by a consequent breeding strategy.
- Beurteilende(r): Winckler Christoph