Genetic and environmental impact on auction prices for Holstein cows

The aim of the present analysis was to determine the impact of a variety of traits and effects (i.e. production, type, health, management effects, pedigree information) on prices of Holstein cows sold at auction, and to estimate genetic (co)variance components between type traits and auction price. Results were used to derive economic weights for type traits. Data of 1565 cows in first parity were collected at six monthly auction sales from August 2005 through January 2006. Seventeen linear type traits and body condition (scale 1 to 9), and four type composites (dairy character, body, feet and legs, and udder; scale 65 to 88) were scored by two classifiers in the auction hall before cows were sold. Analysis of variance revealed a highly significant impact (P <0.001) of auction date, test day milk yield, stage of lactation, origin of sire, and miscellaneous defects on auction price. The most expensive cows were sold in August, they were from foreign proven sires, they had a high level of test day milk yield, and they were free from defects related to udder, feet and legs, or milkability. The feet and leg, udder, and body composite also had a significant effect on the price (P <0.001), with higher scores being associated with higher prices. The opposite association was found for dairy character (P <0.01). Utilizing results from regression analysis, economic weights per genetic standard deviation were highest for linear scored rear udder height (1.23 [Euro Sign]), front teat placement (0.97 [Euro Sign]), and strength (0.80 [Euro Sign]), but were negative for dairy character (-0.69 [Euro Sign]). Genetic parameters for linear type traits scored at the auction date were consistent with literature reports. Heritability for auction price was 0.27, and auction price was genetically positively related to the feet and leg (0.55), udder (0.55), and body composite (0.21). A relative breeding value for auction price was estimated for 27 influential sires, and correlated with official indices for production, conformation, somatic cell count, functional herd life, fertility, and the total net merit index. Correlations were 0.15, 0.21, 0.11, 0.03, 0.05, and 0.19, respectively. Auction price in combination with type scores and information related to farm management provide valuable information for genetic analysis in dairy cattle, and results can be used to increase dairy cow profitability.