Path Analysis for Milk Yield Characteristics in Jersey Dairy Cows

Abstract

This study was made to the direct and indirect influences of some important milk yield components on 305 days milk yield in breeding by adopting correlation and path coefficient analysis. Path analysis was used to determine the interrelationships between age (X(1)), number of lactation (X(2)), calving season (X(3)), lactation period (X(4)) and 305 days milk yield (Y) in jersey dairy cattle. For this purpose, milk production record of 898 Jersey cattle raised in 2005 and 2009 years in Kocas State Farm was used. The results show that age and number of lactation were the most important factors affecting milk yield components. During 5 years, the correlations between age and 305 days milk yield and number of lactation and 305 days milk yield were positive with statistical significance. Age had the highest positive direct effect on 305 days milk yield when data evaluated of 5 years. Number of lactation had a positive and direct effect on 305 days milk yield. The correlation coefficients between calving season and 305 days milk yield were not significant between 2005 and 2009 years.