CHILEAN MILK RECORDING, ITS IMPORTANCE FOR THE NATIONAL DAIRY HERD GENETIC IMPROVEMENTE

Abstract

The fullness of milk recording objectives in dairy cattle depends on the recording efficiency of a given country, which must guarantee genealogy by breed and consistent production data.

This work describes Chilean milk recording systems, gives a brief historical description and compares them with similar initiatives realized in other countries.

Few ideas are presented and discussed, and for government authorities, some actions to be taken are suggested, these aimed to improve the system operation and get better use of the information.

Production and genealogy data would heighten the trade of dairy breeds found in Chile which in turn would impulse domestic breeders to participate in genetic improvement programs.

Chile has modern milk recording programs however, they are done by different companies lacking of a centralized and standardized recording method. This impedes direct analyses and comparisons, and their usefulness in genetic improvement programs is very limited. Identification of domestic or imported high genetic merit animals is not regularly done.

Chile could export frozen semen or embryos from its own stock should an efficient milk recording and genetic evaluation program be in place.