Genetic Progress through Selection in a Closed Herd of Indian Cattle

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Abstract
Data from a closed Hariana herd were analyzed to assess the genetic gains in milk production through selection over 20 years and also to evaluate the genetic changes made in age at first calving and in first calving interval, toward which no attention had been directed. Genetic progress in milk production, estimated as twice the pooled intrasire regressions of sire progeny on time, the records being deviated from contemporary average, was 10 kg, or 1.5% of the average first lactation yield per year. The expected progress from direct selection was 16 kg, or 1.5% of the herd average, per year. Age at first calving and first calving interval tended to decrease as milk production increased. Presumably these were correlated responses, as no direct selection for them was practiced.
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