Published in Scientific Papers. Series D. Animal Science, Vol. LXVIII, Issue 2
Written by Andreea-Raluca MOCLEAȘĂ, Horia GROSU
Romanian Spotted cattle, a Simmental-type breed, play a significant role in Romania’s livestock industry due to their dual-purpose nature, combining milk and beef production. Estimating genetic parameters such as heritability, genetic correlations and breeding values is critical for designing effective breeding programs. This review synthesizes findings from various studies on production traits (milk yield, fat, and protein content) and exterior traits (conformation, body measurements). The focus is on methods like Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP), Restricted Maximum Likelihood (REML) and genomic selection, highlighting their applications and comparative efficiency. The review identifies trends, challenges in genetic evaluations, and future directions for enhancing breed productivity and resilience, offering insights for sustainable breeding strategies that balance production and adaptability.
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