Abstract. Data on 2422 and 27756 Friesian cows in Egypt and Germany, respectively, were used to estimate genetic and non-genetic effects on initial milk yield in 70 days (IMY), 305-day milk yield (305-dMY), lactation period (LP) and calving interval (CI). Data were collected in the period from 1987 to 1992 in Egypt and from 1979 to 1993 in Germany. Least Squares analysis shows the significant effect of season and year of calving and parity on all traits. Least Squares analysis indicates that winter and spring calvers had the higher value in all traits studied than summer and autumn calvers of Friesian cows in Egypt, while in German Friesian cows, the autumn calvers had the higher value in all traits studied than summer and spring calvers. The results show that the milk yield increased with increased lactation Orders. Partial linear and quadratic regression coefficients indicate that age at calving was negatively associated with CI, while it showed positive association with LP and 305-dMY in Friesian cows in Egypt, while in German Friesian cows age at calving was negatively associated with LP and CI, while associated positively with milk yield. Heritabilities were 0.24, 0.22, 0.14 and 0.16 for IMY, 305-dMY, LP and CI, respectively of Friesian cows in Egypt and were 0.34, 0.24, 0.08 and 0.09 for IMY, 305-dMY, LP and CI, respectively in German Friesian cows. All phenotypic and genetic correlations between different traits studied were positive and significant.

Growth, carcass and meat quality parameters of purebred and crossbred goat kids in extensive pasture AbstractGoats are more and more used as shrub-fighters in landscape conservation. Important traits for the extensive production system are vitality and robustness but also acceptable meat production of kids during the grazing period. To investigate possible selection traits for "landscape conservation suitability", 35 kids were investigated for vitality parameters directly after birth whereas all-in 65 kids were investigated for performance traits under extensive grazing conditions. Birth weight as a parameter for vitality and survivability of kids was significantly influenced by sex, genotype and age of doe. Besides rectal temperature 3 hours p.p., other factors regarded as possible vitality parameters were not influenced by birth weight. Birth weight had a significant influence on daily weight gain during the extensive period; kids with higher birth weight showed slightly better weight gain. Birth weight had also a significant effect on some carcass parts, indicating that higher birth weight implies a high probability of a better carcass performance especially in some valuable parts. Still, the effect of the genotype on carcass performance was considerably higher than any other investigated effect. As a result of the present study, there are indications that birth weight can be taken as a parameter for kids' vitality. Also, it is indicated that goats of Cashmere type as fibre animals are not appropriate for landscape management whereas crossbred animals with a meat, dairy and fibre component in their genotype showed to be a vital animal with acceptable efficiency also in harsh conditions and with an average meat and carcass performance.

Abstract. Original data consisted of 774 first lactation records of daughters of 124 sires of Friesian herds in Egypt and 9219 first lactation records of daughters of 679 sires of Friesian herds in Germany used to estimate genetic and phenotypic trends of initial milk yield in 70 days (IMY), 305-day milk yield (305-dMY), lactation period (LP) and calving interval (CI). Sire component of variance was consistently about 9.88%, 10.75%, 4.63% and 5.03% for IMY, 305-dMY, LP and CI, respectively of the total Variation in Friesian cows in Egypt and about 16.69%, 16.69%, 3.63% and 4.37%, for IMY, 305-dMY, LP and CI, respectively of the total Variation in Friesian cows in Germany. Annual genetic change was 29.98 kg, 112.99 kg, −0.92 d and 1.78 d for IMY, 305-dMY, LP and CI, respectively for Friesian cows in Egypt and was 70.41 kg, 200.38 kg, 0.12 d and −1.05 d for IMY, 305-dMY, LP and CI, respectively for Friesian cows in Germany. Annual phenotypic trend was 13.83 kg, 48.00 kg, −1.66 d and −1.82 d for IMY, 305-dMY, LP and CI, respectively for Friesian cows in Egypt and was 21.00 kg, 104.00 kg, 0.17 d and 0.78 d for IMY, 305-dMY, LP and CI, respectively for Friesian cows in Germany. The present results show that sires used in the later years were of superior genetic value than those used in the earlier years.

No abstract