[en] For over ten years now, due to the regionalization of agriculture in Belgium, the Walloon Region has fully developed and still develops its own genetic and genomic evaluation systems. The aim is to allow breeders of this region to be able to use tools adapted to their specific needs. Since 2002, genetic evaluation systems for production and conformation traits have been routinely used. Likewise, genetic evaluation system for udder health (using somatic cell scores) has been routinely used since 2003, as well as for longevity since 2005, for female fertility since 2007, and for body condition score since 2010. Finally, calving ease has been evaluated by genetic evaluation system in routine since 2013. Therefore, these genetic evaluation systems allow the Walloon Region of Belgium to participate to the international MACE evaluations performed by INTERBULL for all traits nationally evaluated. Moreover, since July 2013, genomic evaluation systems have been used in routine for most of these traits, thus enabling the Walloon Region of Belgium to participate to the international genomic evaluations (GMACE) performed by INTERBULL. The purpose of this document is to give a synthesis of the systems developed and used to evaluate the Walloon dairy cattle.
Disciplines :
Animal production & animal husbandry Genetics & genetic processes
Author, co-author :
Vanderick, Sylvie ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Agronomie, Bio-ingénierie et Chimie (AgroBioChem) > Ingénierie des productions animales et nutrition
Bastin, Catherine
Gengler, Nicolas ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Agronomie, Bio-ingénierie et Chimie (AgroBioChem) > Ingénierie des productions animales et nutrition
Language :
English
Title :
Description of the Genetic Evaluation Systems used in the Walloon Region of Belgium