Genetic Analysis of Persistency in the Israeli Holstein Population by the Multitrait Animal Model

Persistency was defined as the predicted milk production 180 d after peak divided by peak production (in %). Heritability of persistency in a multitrait analysis including parities 1 through 5 increased from 0.16 to 0.27 from first through third parity, and then declined through fifth parity. Genetic correlations for persistency between consecutive parities were all > 0.8. First-parity genetic correlations of the traits included in the Israeli selection index with persistency were all < 0.1, except for fertility and herdlife, which were 0.20 and 0.25; whereas second-parity genetic correlations of persistency with the 3 milk production traits were all > 0.34, and the genetic correlation with fertility was only 0.10. The genetic correlation between second-parity persistency and herdlife was 0.58. Persistency in the Israeli Holstein population was analyzed by the multitrait animal model. The genetic trend since 1985 for the multiparity index was 0.22% persistency/yr, even though there was no direct selection on persistency.