Estimation and comparison of conventional and genomic breeding values in Holstein cattle of Antioquia, Colombia

Objective. To estimate and compare breeding values (EBV) using the conventional method (BLUP) and genomic breeding values (MEBV and GEBV) estimated through bayes C method for milk yield and milk quality traits in dairy cattle in Antioquia, Colombia. Materials and methods. Two methods were used to estimate breeding values: BLUP to estimate conventional breeding value (EBV) and bayes C to estimate genomic values (MEBV and GEBV). The traits evaluated were: milk yield (PL), protein percentage (PPRO), fat percentage (PGRA) and score somatic cell (SCS). The methods (BLUP and bayes C) were compared using Person correlation (rp), Spearman rank correlation (rs) and linear regression coefficient (b). Results. The Pearson and Spearman correlations among EBVs and genomic values (MEBV and GEBV) (rpMEBV;EBV and rsGEBV;EBV) were greater than 0.93 and the linear regression coefficients of EBVs on genomic values (MEBV and GEBV) (bMEBV;EBV, and bGEBV;EBV) ranged between 0.954 and 1.051 in all traits evaluated. Conclusions. The predictions of genomic values (MEBV and GEBV), using bayes C method were consistent with the predictions of the EBVs estimate through the conventional method (BLUP) in conditions of high Colombian tropic, allowing to obtain high associations between the breeding values.