HEREDITY IN CATTLE DAIRY CHARACTERISTICS

Hawera Star, Volume L, 20 December 1930, Page 7

HEREDITY IN CATTLE DAIRY CHARACTERISTICS

Studies and observations by Mr. W. W. Yapp, on approximately 500 animals produced in an American herd, established by crossing Friesians and Guernseys indicated that milk yield percentage of butter-fat. protein, and ash in the milk, and conformation were hereditary characters controlled by a considerable number of factors, 1(? being suggested for milk yield. The percentage of lactose in the milk was similar for the two bredes. The size of the animals was in part hereditary and in part environmental. There was evidence that the open or protruding shoulder was an inli*rited character controlled by the operation of one or two factors. Variability in this characteristic was. however, influenced by the type of stanchions used. Skin colour and colour of the secretions were hereditary, but .were difficult to study on account of the high correlation with the amount of green feed consumed. No uositive correlation wais found between colour or skin pigment and colour of milk-fat in dairy cattle. The colour of the skin pigment of the heavy-breeding cows was greatly depleted when they did not receive enough green feed. Calves of highly pigmented breeds did not. show the same amount of pigmentation as older animals until fed green feed.