Genetic parameters of incidence of dytsocia and number of stillbirths in population of Holstein-Friesian cows in Vojvodina [Serbia]

For today’s trends in contemporary production of milk and meat, selection only for production traits is completely unacceptable, since it can contribute to numerous metabolic disorders and shortening of the production life of the animal. Contemporary breeding goals and programs are directed towards, first of all, reaching and maintaining of the optimal balance between production and functional traits without compromising the health and ethological characteristics of animals. Regardless of the breeding objective, i.e. defined program, fertility traits and fitness properties, that is the properties relating to resistance to diseases, must be included. In many countries, problems with calving difficulties and increase of mortality rate of calves in Black and White breeds occurred with the increase of share of Holstein genes in the population of Friesian cattle. Objective of this study is to present the data on number of difficult parities (calving) and number of still born claves (still births) in population of Holstein-Friesian cows in Vojvodina (Serbia), and to calculate and present genetic parameters for mentioned traits. In this study, data was used on the incidence of difficult calving and number of still born claves (still births) obtained from the calving register for all producers included in the animal control program, carried out by the Faculty of Agriculture from Novi Sad (Serbia), Animal Science Department, as Main breeding organization for Holstein-Friesian cattle population in Vojvodina. Data refer to years 2008 and 2009, with total of 35000 calvings. Based on calculated parameters, factors were defined which influence the expression of mentioned traits, with major impact on the economical efficiency of the milk production. It is expected that, in spite of low heritability level of 0.149 for dystocia and 0.160 for number of stillbirths, by applying the accurate methods of their genetic assessment, studied traits can be included in the breeding goals of Holstein-Friesian cattle breed in Vojvodina.