By Baumgartner, C. and Distl, O. and Krausslich, H., Zuchtungskunde, 1990
Description
For the cattle studied in Pt. 1 (see pp. 195-207 of the same number of the journal), genetic correlations were estimated between claw disorder frequencies and claw shape measurements. These were mainly 0.20-0.50 or -0.20 to -0.50. A selection index procedure, based on a progeny test with 40 daughters per sire, was implemented to find the best combination of traits to use in selecting for better claw health. Compared with direct selection against claw disorders, selection based on angle and length of the dorsal border of the claw, heel length and height, diagonal length of the claw, and sole area was 67% as efficient. This value fell to 63% if only length of the dorsal border, heel length and diagonal length were included in the index. The addition of leg posture to the index increased the relative selection response by 20%. It is recommended that measurements on herdmates should be made in order to adjust for herd effects
For the cattle studied in Pt. 1 (see pp. 195-207 of the same number of the journal), genetic correlations were estimated between claw disorder frequencies and claw shape measurements. These were mainly 0.20-0.50 or -0.20 to -0.50. A selection index procedure, based on a progeny test with 40 daughters per sire, was implemented to find the best combination of traits to use in selecting for better claw health. Compared with direct selection against claw disorders, selection based on angle and length of the dorsal border of the claw, heel length and height, diagonal length of the claw, and sole area was 67% as efficient. This value fell to 63% if only length of the dorsal border, heel length and diagonal length were included in the index. The addition of leg posture to the index increased the relative selection response by 20%. It is recommended that measurements on herdmates should be made in order to adjust for herd effects
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