Management Traits Scored Linearly by Dairy Producers

The Holstein Association collected data of management traits for research purposes, and dairy producers scored their own cows with 50-point linear scales. Sources of variation for scores were determined and genetic parameters were estimated. Heritabilities of management traits were near previous estimates. Temperament had heritability of 12%, milking speed had heritability of 11%, and other estimates were 5% or less. Scoring of cows in retrospect at time of classification 5 have contributed to low estimates of heritability. Selection from progeny testing 5 be effective for temperament and milking speed, but economic gain is unknown. Both temperament and milking speed had positive estimates of genetic correlation with FCM and type score; therefore, selection for FCM should not result in deterioration of temperament or milking speed as correlated responses. Linear scoring of cows for management traits by dairy producers at time of classification 5 have limited practical benefit for genetic improvement of dairy cows.