Biometrical and economic models for a joint breeding program in dairy cattle based on the Nordic breeding profile - NKJ nr 114

The background of the project is that we see a need for the Nordic cattle breeds to join forces in order to be competitive in an international market, thus also making it possible to conserve the genetic resources that the breeds constitute. The main diff erence between Nordic countries and other countries is that we have a good recording of functional traits, e.g., health and reproduction. Such recording is normally lacking or of poor quality. Therefore, we should use this difference to our benefit, and t o do that we need point breeding values not only for production, but especially for functional traits. What we hope to achieve in this period is summarised in the goal description above and the specific methods to be used are described in the enclosed res earch plan. We will both use advanced statistical methods and computer simulation techniques to reach our goals, and they are described in more detail in the project plan, together with a tentative timetable.