The application of six different models to estimate the genetic parameters, variance components and breeding values for birth weight of Holstein calves

This research was conducted to determine variance component, genetic parameters and breeding values (EBV) for the birth weight (BW) of Holstein calves. In this context, the direct genetic (sigma(2)(a)), maternal genetic (sigma(2)(m)) and maternal permanent environmental effects, which affect BW, were separately assessed. The multi-trait, derivative-free restricted maximum likelihood programme was used for determining the effect of the genetic parameters by using models that either included or excluded the maternal genetic and/or permanent maternal environmental effects. The estimation of the BW of Holstein calves was optimized by evaluating six different models. The best model was chosen according to the log-likelihood ratio tests. Within the context of the study, a total of 4443 calves were investigated between 1987 and 2006. Among the six different models, model 4 was selected as the best model, since it had the lowest value for the likelihood ratio. The range of the values for direct heritability (h(d)(2)) and maternal heritability (m(2)) were between 0.07-0.13 and 0.04-0.09, respectively. In conclusion, an estimation of the genetic parameters for BW can be used as a selection criteria for Holstein calves.