Early prediction of phenotypic survival to the second lactation in Dutch and Flemish Holstein heifers using genomic and phenotypic data

Due to uncertainty about survival and future performance of replacement heifers, many farmers rear a surplus of heifers. By predicting survival at an early age, uncertainty about heifer survival could be reduced, and fewer replacement heifers would be needed. A dataset of 1907 Holstein heifers born between 2012 and 2013 with 50 genomic breeding values (GEBV) and various phenotypic variables was used to predict survival to second lactation, at two moments in life; at birth, and at age of 18 months. While it was not possible to reliably predict survival outcome of individual heifers, the survivi... Mehr ...