Selection programmes

We use large phenotype and pedigree data sets in different livestock and companion animal species to quantify the genetic variation in important traits, and to analyze selection priorities among traits. We have studied correlation between conformation traits and slaughter traits in beef cattle, correlation between milk NEFA with production and fertility in dairy cattle, population structure of Finnhorse, inheritance of slaughter traits in sheep, hunting traits in dogs etc.

Ph.D. study by Ayo Salaudeen relates on using carcass traits in dairy cattle breeding programme. The aim is to estimate genetic parameters for carcass traits and their genetic correlations with production and feed efficiency traits, derive economic values of carcass traits under current market situations to be included into the Nordic Red dairy cattle breeding program. The research is done in collaboration with Prof. Martin Lidauer (LUKE). Our other collaborators are Faba, Figen and the Association of ProAgria Centres, Suomen Hippos Association and The Finnish Kennel Club.


Links to Recent and Current Project Pages

Selected Publications

Mäntysaari, P., Juga, J., Lidauer, M. H., Häggman, J., Mehtiö, T., Christensen, J. M., & Mäntysaari, E. A. 2022. The relationships between early lactation energy status indicators and endocrine fertility traits in dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 105:6833-6844. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2021-21077

Kavlak, A. T., Stranden, E., Lidauer, M. H., & Uimari, P. 2021. Estimation of social genetic effects on feeding behaviour and production traits in pigs. Animal 15, [100168]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.animal.2020.100168

Paakala, E., Martín-Collado, D., Mäki-Tanila, A., & Juga, J. 2020. Farmers’ stated selection preferences differ from revealed AI bull selection in Finnish dairy herds. Livestock Science, 240, [104117]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2020.104117

Salonen, M., Vapalahti, K., Tiira, K. Mäki-Tanila, A. and Lohi, H. 2019. Breed differences of heritable behaviour traits in cats. Scientific Reports 9, 7949. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-44324-x

Kavlak, A.T. and Uimari, P. 2019. Estimation of heritability of feeding behaviour traits and their correlation with production traits in Finnish Yorkshire pigs. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics https://doi.org/10.1111/jbg.12408

Paakala, E., Martín‐Collado, D., Mäki‐Tanila, A. and Juga, J. 2018. Variation in the actual preferences for AI bull traits among Finnish dairy herds. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics 135:410–419. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbg.12359

Fon Tebug, S., Missohou, A., Sabi, S. S., Juga, J. K., Poole, E. J., Tapio, M. and Marshall, K. 2018. Using body measurements to estimate live weight of dairy cattle in low-input systems in Senegal. Journal of Applied Animal Research 46:87-93. https://doi.org/10.1080/09712119.2016.1262265.

Hietala, P. and Juga, J. 2017. Impact of including growth, carcass and feed efficiency traits in the breeding goal for combined milk and beef production systems. Animal 11:564-573. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731116001877.

Peura J., Viksten, S., Kempe, R., Strandén, I. and Mäki-Tanila, A. 2017. Weight-for-length index as a measure of obesity in blue foxes. NJF Fur Animal Congress, Oslo, 5 p.

Bouquet, A.E., Sorensen, A.C. and Juga, J. 2015. Genomic selection strategies to optimize the use of multiple ovulation and embryo transfer schemes in dairy cattle breeding programs. Livestock Science 174:18-25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2015.01.014.

Hill, W.G. and Mäki-Tanila, A. 2015. Expected influence of linkage disequilibrium on genetic variance caused by dominance and epistasis on quantitative traits. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics 132:176-186. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbg.12140.

Hietala, P., Wolfová, M., Wolf, J., Kantanen, J. and J, Juga. 2014. Economic values of production and functional traits, including residual feed intake, in Finnish milk production. Journal of Dairy Science 97:1092-1106. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2013-7085.

Makgahlela, M.L., Mäntysaari, E.A., Strandén, I., Koivula, M., Nielsen, U.S., Sillanpää, M.J. and Juga, J. 2013. Across breed multi-trait random regression genomic predictions in the Nordic Red dairy cattle. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics 130:10–19. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0388.2012.01017.x.

Suontama, M., Van der Werf, J.H.J., Juga, J. and Ojala, M. 2013. Genetic correlations for foal and studbook traits with racing performance and implications for selection strategies in the Finnhorse and Standardbred trotter Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics 130:178–189. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0388.2012.01011.x.