Skip to main content
Have a personal or library account? Click to login
Heritabilities, genetic and phenotypic correlations between body conformation and milking traits of Holstein-Friesian cows milked by milking robots Cover

Heritabilities, genetic and phenotypic correlations between body conformation and milking traits of Holstein-Friesian cows milked by milking robots

Open Access
|Oct 2026

References

  1. Aerts, J., Piwczyński, D., Ghiasi, H., Sitkowska, B., Kolenda, M., & Önder, H. (2021). Genetic parameters estimation of milking traits in Polish Holstein-Friesians based on automatic milking system data. Animals, 11(7), 1943. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11071943
  2. Aerts, J., Sitkowska, B., Piwczyński, D., Kolenda, M., & Önder, H. (2022). The optimal level of factors for high daily milk yield in automatic milking system. Livestock Science, 264, 105035. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2022.105035
  3. Battagin, M., Sartori, C., Biffani, S., Penasa, M., & Cassandro, M. (2013). Genetic parameters for body condition score, locomotion, angularity, and production traits in Italian Holstein cattle. Journal of Dairy Science, 96(8), 5344–5351. doi: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2012-6352
  4. Berry, D. P., Coyne, J., Coughlan, B., Burke, M., McCarthy, J., Enright, B., Cromie, A. R., & McParland, S. (2013). Genetics of milking characteristics in dairy cows. Animal, 7(11), 1750–1758. doi: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731113001511
  5. Bobbo, T., Roveglia, C., Penasa, M., Visentin, G., Finocchiaro, R., & Cassandro, M. (2019). Genetic relationships of alternative somatic cell count traits with milk yield, composition and udder type traits in Italian Jersey cows. Animal Science Journal, 90(6), 808–817. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/asj.13205
  6. Bohlouli, M., Alijani, S., & Varposhti, M. R. (2015). Genetic relationships among linear type traits and milk production traits of Holstein dairy cattle. Annals of Animal Science, 15(4), 903–917. doi: https://doi.org/10.1515/aoas-2015-0053
  7. Carlström, C., Strandberg, E., Pettersson, G., Johansson, K., Stålhammar, H., & Philipsson, J. (2016). Genetic associations of teat cup attachment failures, incomplete milkings, and handling time in automatic milking systems with milkability, temperament, and udder conformation. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section A – Animal Science, 66(2), 75–83. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/09064702.2016.1260153
  8. Carthy, T. R., Ryan, D. P., Fitzgerald, A. M., Evans, R. D., & Berry, D. P. (2016). Genetic relationships between detailed reproductive traits and performance traits in Holstein Friesian dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science, 99(2), 1286–1297. doi: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2015-9825
  9. Dadpasand, M., Zamiri, M.J., Atashi, H., & Akhlaghi, A. (2012). Genetic relationship of conformation traits with average somatic cell score at 150 and 305 days in milk in Holstein cows of Iran. Journal of Dairy Science, 95(12), 7340–7345. doi: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2011-5002
  10. Dal Zotto, R., Marchi, M. D., Dalvit, C., Cassandro, M., Gallo, L., Carnier, P., & Bittante, G. (2007). Heritabilities and genetic correlations of body condition score and calving interval with yield, somatic cell score, and linear type traits in Brown Swiss cattle. Journal of Dairy Science, 90(12), 5737–5743. doi: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2007-0280
  11. De Haas, Y., Janss, L. L. G., & Kadarmideen, H. N. (2007). Genetic and phenotypic parameters for conformation and yield traits in three Swiss dairy cattle breeds. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics, 124(1), 12–19. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0388.2007.00630.x
  12. Eaglen, S., Coffey, M. P., Woolliams, J. A., & Wall, E. (2013). Direct and maternal genetic relationships between calving ease, gestation length, milk production, fertility, type, and lifespan of Holstein Friesian primiparous cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 96(6), 4015–4025. doi: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2012-6229
  13. Gäde, S., Stamer, E., Junge, W., & Kalm, E. (2006). Estimates of genetic parameters for milkability from automatic milking. Livestock Science, 104(1–2), 135–146. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2006.04.003
  14. Gibson, K. D., & Dechow, C. D. (2018). Genetic parameters for yield, fitness, and type traits in U.S. Brown Swiss dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science, 101(2), 1251–1257. doi: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2017-13041
  15. ICAR. (2018). ICAR Guidelines for Recording, Evaluation and Genetic Improvement of Dairy Cattle. ICAR Guidelines Section 9: Guidelines for Dairy Cattle Genetic Evaluation. Accessed 27 May 2026.
  16. Ismael, H., Janković, D., Stanojević, D., Bogdanović, V., Trivunović, S., & Djedović, R. (2021). Estimation of heritability and genetic correlations between milk yield and linear type traits in primiparous Holstein Friesian cows. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia, 50, e20200121. doi: https://doi.org/10.37496/rbz5020200121
  17. Jacobs, J. A., & Siegford, J. M. (2012). Invited review: the impact of automatic milking systems on dairy cow management, behavior, health, and welfare. Journal of Dairy Science, 95(5), 2227–2247. doi: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2011-4943
  18. Kelm, S. C., & Freeman, A. E. (2000). Direct and correlated responses to selection for milk yield: results and conclusions of regional project NC 2, “Improvement of dairy cattle through breeding, with emphasis on selection”. Journal of Dairy Science, 83(12), 2721–2732. doi: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(00)75166-6
  19. Loker, S., Bastin, C., Miglior, F., Sewalem, A., Schaeffer, L. R., Jamrozik, J., Ali, A., & Osborne, V. (2012). Genetic and environmental relationships between body condition score and milk production traits in Canadian Holsteins. Journal of Dairy Science, 95(1), 410–419. doi: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2011-4497
  20. Misztal, I., Lawlor, T. J., Short, T. H., & VanRaden, P. M. (1992). Multiple trait estimation of variance components of yield and type traits using an animal model. Journal of Dairy Science, 75(2), 544–551. doi: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(92)77791-1
  21. Morek-Kopeć, M., & Zarnecki, A. (2012). Relationship between conformation traits and longevity in Polish Holstein Friesian cattle. Livestock Science, 149(1–2), 53–61. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2012.06.022
  22. Nixon, M., Bohmanova, J., Jamrozik, J., Schaeffer, L. R., & Miglior, F. (2009). Genetic parameters of milking frequency and milk production traits in Canadian Holsteins milked by an automated milking system. Journal of Dairy Science, 92(7), 3422–3430. doi: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2008-1689
  23. Nogalski, Z., Piwczyński, D., & Nogalska, A. (2024). Clinical applicability of external and internal body dimensions in predicting dystocia in late gestation Holstein Friesian heifers. Reproduction in Domestic Animals, 59(1), e14506. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.14506
  24. Oliveira, J. G. A., Schenkel, F. S., Alcantara, L., Houlahan, K., Lynch, C., & Baes, C. F. (2021). Estimated genetic parameters for all genetically evaluated traits in Canadian Holsteins. Journal of Dairy Science, 104(8), 9002–9015. doi: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2021-20227
  25. PFHBiPM. (2025). Polish Federation of Cattle Breeders and Dairy Farmers. Cattle assessment and breeding data for 2025. Accessed 27 May 2026. http://www.pfhb.pl
  26. Piwczyński, D., Brzozowski, M., & Sitkowska, B. (2020). The impact of the installation of an automatic milking system on female fertility traits in Holstein Friesian cows. Livestock Science, 240, 104136. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2020.104140
  27. Piwczyński, D., Sitkowska, B., & Ptak, E. (2021). Genetic relationship among somatic cell score and some milking traits in Holstein Friesian primiparous cows milked by an automated milking system. Animal, 15(2), 100094. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.animal.2020.100094
  28. Poppe, M., Mulder, H. A., Ducro, B. J., & Jong, G. (2019). Genetic analysis of udder conformation traits derived from automatic milking system recording in dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 102(2), 1386–1396. doi: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2018-14838
  29. Ptak, E., Jagusiak, W., Zarnecki, A., & Otwinowska Mindur, A. (2011). Heritabilities and genetic correlations of lactational and daily somatic cell score with conformation traits in Polish Holstein cattle. Czech Journal of Animal Science, 56(5), 205–212. doi:https://doi.org/ 10.17221/1280-CJAS
  30. Sartori, C., Guzzo, N., Mazza, S., & Mantovani, R. (2018). Genetic correlations among milk yield, morphology, performance test traits, and somatic cells in dual purpose Rendena breed. Animal, 12(5), 906. doi: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731117002543
  31. SAS Institute Inc. (2014). SAS user’s guide, version 9.4. SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA.
  32. Short, T. H., & Lawlor, T. J. (1992). Genetic parameters of conformation traits, milk yield, and herd life in Holsteins. Journal of Dairy Science, 75(7), 1987–1998. doi: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(92)77958-2
  33. Sitkowska, B., Yüksel, H. M., Piwczyński, D., & Önder, H. (2024). Heritability and genetic correlations of rumination time with milk yield and milking traits in Holstein Friesian cows using an automated milking system. Animal, 18(3), 101101. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.animal.2024.101101
  34. Stefani, G., El Faro, L., Santana, M., & Tonhati, H. (2018). Association of longevity with type traits, milk yield, and udder health in Holstein cows. Livestock Science, 218, 1–7. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2018.10.007
  35. Török, E., Komlosi, I., Szonyi, V., Béla, B., Mészáros, G., & Posta, J. (2021). Combinations of linear type traits affecting longevity in Hungarian Holstein Friesian cows. Animals, 11(11), 3065. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11113065
  36. Wethal, K. B., & Heringstad, B. (2019). Genetic analyses of novel temperament and milkability traits in Norwegian Red cattle based on data from automatic milking systems. Journal of Dairy Science, 102(9), 8221–8233. doi: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2019-16625
  37. Xue, X., Hu, H., Zhang, J., Ma, Y., Han, L., Hao, F., Jiang, Y., & Ma, Y. (2023). Estimation of genetic parameters for conformation traits and milk production traits in Chinese Holsteins. Animals, 13(1), 100. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13010100
  38. Zink, V., Štípková, M., & Lassen, J. (2011). Genetic parameters for female fertility, locomotion, body condition score, and linear type traits in Czech Holstein cattle. Journal of Dairy Science, 94(10), 5176–5182. doi: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2010-3644
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/aoas-2027-0004 | Journal eISSN: 2300-8733 (formerly 1642-3402) | Journal ISSN: 1642-3402
Language: English
Submitted on: Jan 28, 2026
Accepted on: May 25, 2026
Published on: Oct 28, 2026
Published by: National Research Institute of Animal Production
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 4 issues per year
Related subjects:

© 2026 Godswill Arinzechukwu Iwuchukwu, Beata Sitkowska, Dariusz Piwczyński, published by National Research Institute of Animal Production
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.