Genetic analysis of test-day milk yield in sheep recorded at two governmental breeding and multiplication centers in Ethiopia

Abstract

One aim was to compare four classes of ewes for test-day milk yield (TDMY). The classes are the local Menz breed, the Awassi breed, and their main crossbreds (50 and 75%). Another aim was to estimate variance components to facilitate the prediction of breeding values and their accuracy. A total of 1040 TDMY records of 211 ewes were used. A univariate repeatability model with Legendre polynomial coefficients were used to model lactation curves. The 100% Awassi ewes produced significantly (p < 0.05) more milk than the other studied ewe groups within 120 Days in milk (DIM). The Local ewes produced significantly less than the other groups. Estimates of heritability (h2) and repeatability (r) of TDMY were 0.10 ± 0.08 and 0.15 ± 0.03, respectively. The genetic variance indicated for TDMY could give a genetic gain in the dissemination program if recorded for all ewes at the two centres.