Genome-wide association analysis of residual feed intake and milk yield in dairy goats

Abstract

Interest in both dairy and meat goat production in the US has been increasing, and there is tremendous opportunity for genetic progress in traits that are easy to measure (eg, milk yield) and those that are more difficult (eg, residual feed intake, RFI). However, there is little research or infrastructure within the goat industry for implementation of large-scale genetic evaluation. The objective of this study was to conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for RFI and total milk yield in dairy goats. Forty-eight Alpine females (56.4±7.15 kg BW; 423±146.1 kg milk; 225±20.9 d in milk; 16 primiparous) were used. Data in mid-to late lactation were used to calculate RFI. Milk yield and components were collected over a 12-wk period in mid-to late lactation and were used to calculate energy-corrected milk yield (ECMY). ECMY DMI, and BW from the same period were used to calculate RFI … Interest in both dairy and meat goat production in the US has been increasing, and there is tremendous opportunity for genetic progress in traits that are easy to measure (eg, milk yield) and those that are more difficult (eg, residual feed intake, RFI). However, there is little research or infrastructure within the goat industry for implementation of large-scale genetic evaluation. The objective of this study was to conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for RFI and total milk yield in dairy goats. Forty-eight Alpine females (56.4±7.15 kg BW; 423±146.1 kg milk; 225±20.9 d in milk; 16 primiparous) were used. Data in mid-to late lactation were used to calculate RFI. Milk yield and components were collected over a 12-wk period in mid-to late lactation and were used to calculate energy-corrected milk yield (ECMY). ECMY DMI, and BW from the same period were used to calculate RFI …