Breeding strategies for cattle, pigs, and sheep in the Czech Republic - L. Sereda, F. Urban, J. Vachal, C. Prazak

L. Sereda, * F. Urban, ** J. Vachal, ** C. Prazak***
* Breeders ‘Association of Czech Red Pied Cattle, Prague
* * Research Institute of Animal Production, Prague
*** Pig Breeders Association of the Czech Republic

I. Basic characteristics of the Czech agriculture

Fundamental changes in ownership relations, extent, economy, and structure of agriculture, and its position in the overall economy of the country occurred in the Czech Republic during the past five years. The former almost exclusive cooperative and state ownership of agricultural enterprises was already to an extend of 97 % transformed into private ownership in the form of family or private farms, commercial companies of various types, and cooperatives of owners. Nowadays a major share of farmland, i.e. 47.7 % is used by cooperatives, 25.7 % by commercial companies, 23.2 % by private farmers, and the rest by state enterprises (schools, research institutes, studs etc.). ln spite of the considerable impact of transformation process on the size, production orientation and of new farming activities that had arisen, the Czech agriculture preserved in substance its large scale production character. The average size of agricultural enterprises of approximately 140 hectares markedly exceeds the all-European average. At the same time, the trend of development tends towards a further concentration, as confirmed by the present practice.

These changes were accompanied in the past five years by about 50 % reduction of the labour force engaged in agricultural primary production, so that at present the share of agriculturally active population is approximately 5 %. Meanwhile, the labour productivity has improved. During the last year, for example, it increased by 7,2 % and exceeds distinctly the increase in productivity in the industry. ln 1994, the agriculture contributed to GDP generation by 4,5 %.

In spite of these relatively favourable development trends, agriculture as a whole shows still a certain economic loss which, however, is diminishing year by year.

Position and role of animal production

The total process of transformation of agriculture and connected problems were most markedly reflected in the fields of farm animal husbandry and animal production. The main reason was the entire liberalization of prices and abolition of former, relatively massive subsidies of production or consumption prices, as the case may be, which already occurred in 1990. Above all cattle husbandry was affected, formerly cattle products - milk and beef - were highly subsidized. This resulted in a pronounced decline of domestic consumption of these products as they were affected by the economic transformation, and by price increases. It was followed by a heavy decline of cattle numbers.

These changes were less pronounced in the pig population and in the volume of pig production volume. At present sheep husbandry is going through a process of fundamental reconstruction and orientation of production, namely from the former predominant wool production towards the present and hopefully prospective meat production. The share of sheep production in the total volume of animal production has been negligible and this kind of farm animals is only looking for its position under the new conditions of the Czech agriculture.

The market for animal products was characterised by considerable fluctuations of farm prices. In the course of the last year, however, a higher price stability has been steadily observed. The reason is both a step by step balancing of domestic supply and demand, and a not negligible volume of exported of end products and of breeding animals which, in spite various import limitations, found their place both from the qualitative and the price points of view on foreign markets.

The subsidies of agriculture by the State budget concentrates into several basic fields. Decisive forms of support consist of soft credits to farmers for selected projects, support for restructuring production and indirect subsidies for marginal areas. A certain support is also given to basic breeding measures, especially to performance and progeny testing, data recording and processing, identification of animals, etc. Direct subsidies for production support were abolished.

Possibilities of further development of agriculture namely of animal production

In the Czech Republic, the acceptable level and sectoral composition of animal production will always be given to a decisive extent by the volume and structure of demand within the domestic market. In this respect, however, we do not consider the present relatively low level of consumption as being of a decisive importance. For the future, after a stabilisation of economic situation has taken place, we assume that a certain growth of domestic consumption, will occur, especially as regards products of cattle husbandry. A complementary role will also be played by foreign trade in both directions, especially after reduction of customs and extra-customs barriers between European countries. In this respect, the position of other countries will be an element of decisive importance.

Under these conditions we foresee a gradual, even if not dramatic growth of demand and of the volume of animal production, accompanied by a higher request for animal quality, for the quality of end products and their standard level. The production will be undoubtedly influenced to a growing extent by welfare and ecological views.

The pressure of productivity of work and stability of production increases the trends for a massive change in technological systems such as housing, feeding, milking, etc., to be implemented, mainly by rebuilding and completing existing barns and in the case of newly built farms by new constructions as well. This tendency is being supported by the State in the form as mentioned above, of soft credits. This will also continue in the years to come.

Commercial activities will concentrate predominantly on domestic market and on the creation of a functional market network. The subsidies granted by the State in the past to support imports of breeding females are obviously ending. Without these subsidies for price reasons, these imports are not available in sufficient quantity. The quality requirement for imported animals will continue to increase. We want to concentrate our attention and limited subsidy resources above all on imports of semen, embryos and bulls of top quality for individual (planned) mating, as the case may be. Qualitative conditions and other will be different according to countries, depending on specific requirements for imports of animals from the Czech Republic.

Cattle

Structure of the population

On may suppose that the period of heavy decline of cattle and cow population, i.e.: (by 40 % and 38 %, respectively) is already ending and that the numbers of animals would stabilize approximately at the present level. The expected growth of bovine products consumption will be predominantly covered by the development of average performances.

On the other hand, some partial changes in the cattle population structure, from the point of view of production orientation can be anticipated. At present, the cattle population in the Czech Republic consists in Red Pied cattle (about 59 %), Black and White Holstein cattle (about 3 1 %), and various crossbreeds types. Beef breeds do not represent 1 % of the cattle population. The proportion of the two main breeds was relatively constant in the past years. In the future, a certain shift of breeders’ interest towards Black and White breed can be expected. The other dairy or dual purpose breeds have no real prospects in the Czech Republic.

A certain spread of the cow keeping system in milk production without market (suckling cows) can be expected. Resources in female material for this system will be provided primarily by the domestic population of Czech Red Pied cattle both purebred and of various crossbred types which are fully suitable for this purpose. The spread of purebred specialised beef breeds will depend above all on the feasibility of expanding reproduction within the existing population. The overall extent and prospects of this orientation will depend above all on the level and stability of the state support to the system.

Breeding objectives

The improvement of both main breeds is orientated above all towards the production of milk and milk products. The common main selection criterion is to produce milk protein. In the case of the Czech Red Pied cattle, as dual-purpose breed, emphasis is permanently placed on meat performance as well, which is characterised by the following parameters, i.e.: fattening capacity, slaughter value and muscular development.

Reproduction performance, as characterised by male and female components of fertility, is a common selection criterion for both breeds. In addition to the essential indicators of breeding target and cattle improvement, milking ability (selection indicator: average milk output per minute) and conformation of animals on the basis of the linear description of individual traits are evaluated as well. Indicators of health state and hereditary health are evaluated separately by specialists of veterinary services. Economic weight of individual properties and traits was investigated in a number of research studies. The methods and estimation procedures have been fully mastered and their prospective applications are taken into account. However, economic and price situation, did not justify utilizing practically until now, these weights in the selection systems.

Performance testing schemes

Milk recording is carried out according to the ICAR methodology. The Czech Republic is an ordinary member of ICAR. 75 % of the total 75000 cows are recorded according to the A⁴ method and 11 % according to the A^T method. Within the framework of milk recording, milk production, composition and yield of protein and fat are recorded. More and more one takes also the number of somatic cells int account. Keeping computer record of cow testing is integrated with A.I. recording. It enables keeping a running evaluation of reproduction indicators in cows and bulls.

Testing of growth capacity is carried out on all bulls prior to their including them into the breeding process, namely at the performance testing stations (bull rearing units). Since 1972 only the bulls have been accepted for breeding which passed the performance test with positive results. The test is passing from 110 to 420 days of age. Yearly approximately 35-37 % of tested bulls are included in the breeding program. At least a half of the standard deviation(x + 1/2s) over the average group under comparison is the selection limit.

Milking ability is recorded by a simplified method (average milk output per minute) in all bull dams and groups of daughters after tested bulls. The evaluation of animal conformation through linear description in accordance with the standard methods is carried out systematically on all bull dams and groups of daughters issued from tested bulls and is gradually introduced for all cows in the course of the first lactation.

Estimation procedure of breeding value

So far the Sire Model, in accordance with the BLUP method, has been used for the estimation of breeding value. At present the application of Animal Model is being tested, the program is under preparation. A full operational introduction will be considered as from July this year at the latest. Till now the limited capacity of the computer which was used did not enable utilizing the Animal Model.

The breeding value is being determinated, for all cows and bulls on the basis of the following traits:

- milk yield;
- content of milk in protein and fat and their total production;
- relative breeding value for protein production in kg is a selection criterion.

In addition, the following values are determined and expressed in terms of relative breeding values of bulls:

- milking ability (average milk output per minute);
- reproduction performance, independently for male and female influence;
- fattening capacity and slaughter value (net weight gain) - for all bulls of the Czech Red

Pied cattle and beef breeds on the basis of station tests of fattening capacity of sons.

The estimation of breeding value for conformation traits of animals is taken into account for the future.

Breeding program

The improvement of both basic breeds has been already controlled during the last 25 years in accordance with a unified breeding programme common for the entire population of the given breeds in the country. The extent of active population is expressed practically in percentage of female subjected to A. 1 and by the proportion of cows included in milk recording, i.e. about 86 % of the total number of cows.

Absolute parameters of the programme decreased in the last years in line with the considerable reduction of cow and bull numbers. Methodical procedures and relative parameters which are decisive for the intensity of selection and the program efficiency remain preserved. They are characterised by the following measures and indicators:

- selection of boll mothers according to unified criteria from the total population is carried out by specialists;

- utilisation of top dams for embryo transfer;

- planned mating of bull mothers and production of young bulls under contract;

- selection of 35-37 % bulls with the highest values for A.I. stations;

- test mating of all selected bulls according to unified scheme; 6001000 semen doses and 20-23 % of inseminations are used for test mating;

- creation of semen reserves, "waiting bulls";

- random selection of about 15 sons for station test of fattening capacity and slaughter value;

- evaluation of health state and hereditary defects of born calves;

- testing of milking ability in a group of at least 30 daughters;

- linear description of conformation in a group of at least 30 daughters;

- gradual determination of breeding value for individual traits;

- overall determination of the breeding value of the bulls;

- selection of 10 - 13 % of bulls with the highest values for further mating;

- selection of 4 - 6 best bulls among those selected for mating, for the category of bull fathers on the basis of additional results of progeny testing;

- import of a limited amount of semen doses of top bulls from the world populations of given breeds for planned mating.

Pure breeding is the basis for the improvement of both breeds. Herd-book rules allows the introduction of a certain proportion of blood of improving breeds, i.e.: Ayrshire and Red Holstein in Czech Red Pied Cattle. The goal is to maintain the proportion of these breeds at level not exceeding the limit of 25 - 37% in the final products. The population of Black and White cattle arose partly from grading up the domestic population with Holstein bulls. That is why a lower proportion of Czech Red Pied cattle is permitted in the third to fourth generations of ancestors. The proportion of foreign blood is defined in the corresponding section of the herb-book.

II. Breeding strategies in the Czech Republic

At present, the process of farm animal breeding and improvement is determined by the Law No. 240/l 99 1 "The improvement and breeding work of farm animals".

Individual Breeders Associations of pertinent breeds and species of farm animals are responsible for the coordination of breeding programme of individual breeds including herdbook keeping.

All operations combined with testing, improvement, and reproduction, i.e. artificial insemination, embryo transfer, performance recording, determination of breeding value, central records of animals and herd-book keeping, fully determined by law and regulations.

Ministry of Agriculture and Food delivered authorization for herd-book keeping to pertinent Breeders’ Associations which were also entrusted with the coordination of breeding programmes of individual animal breads. One common herd-book is kept for every breed within the Czech Republic.

Cattle

Drastic changes occurred in animal husbandry in the Czech Republic during the past five years. As a result of the reduction of the previous massive state intervention on milk and meat prices, and of liberalisation of prices, the level of home consumption of these products markedly decreased. At the same time, a complicated process of agriculture transformation was launched. In the course of several years, more than 90 % of previous almost exclusive form of state and cooperative ownerships were transferred to the private sector. The process of transformation and the economic instability influenced the cattle husbandry sector of activities..

The cattle population decreased by 42 % and numbers of cows by 38 %. A certain consolidation of these populations has occurred only in the course of 1995.

Individual breeds participate in the following proportions in the present composition of 53 the cattle population of the Czech Republic as follows:

About 98% of the females of both breeds are involved in artificial insemination, and about 90 % in milk recording (A-method). In non milked population, natural service is more spread.

The breeding programme applied systematically for more than 25 years in the whole population of the main two breeds was based on the standard principles of testing all important production traits, and on intensive selection, above all as regards bull dams and sires.

Young bulls issued from uncertain mating pass through special rearing department of a performance testing station. Approximately 35-40 of tested bulls are chosen for artificial insemination and are included in test mating. On the basis of daughters and sons performances, a relative breeding value is calculated for all bulls as regards the following indicators:

- milk yield, content and production of protein and fat;
- fattening capacity;
- milking ability;
- male and female components of fertility;
- calving process, losses of calves, and hereditary defects.

Moreover linear description of progenies is carried out on all bulls. Until now a Sire Model method BLUP is used for the determination of breeding value. An animal Model is under preparation and will be introduced during 1996.

The improvement of the two main breeds is, as a matter of choice, orientated towards increasing milk production, or milk protein content, as the case may be. Meat production is also emphasised in the Czech Red Pied cattle.

Breeding objectives tend towards the following main production parameters: Hereford, Aberdeen Angus, Limousin, Blonde d’Aquitaine and Charolais are world-wide breeds improved exclusively for beef production in the Czech Republic; moreover Piemont, Belgian Blue-White, Gasconne and Galloway breeds are also used. Rearing beef breeds has been introduced deliberately in this country and expanded since 1992.

A gradual decrease in the number of dairy cows and the increase in beef cattle can be correlated with the evolution of consumption of these commodities and with that of the corps and pastures areas.

Sheep

Sheep were the first domesticated animals in former Czechoslovakia. The oldest sheep in Bohemia belonged to the mufflon-like type of Ovis staderi, termed also as "sheep of copper era".

The first publication dealing with sheep breeding in our country was issued in Prague in 156 1. The high standards of Bohemian sheep breeding can be documented by the fact that in 1769 breeding ewes were delivered from Bohemia to upper Austria for improving the flocks there.

In the 1980’s, emphasis focussed on increasing the fertility and milk production of ewes as well as meat yield while producing slaughter lambs. Presently, rearing meat breeds of sheep is being preferred, wool is considered only as a supplement. Several flocks are oriented towards cheese production especially in Moravia. The reduction of the wool price after 1990 strongly influenced the decrease of the sheep population.

Different sheep breeds have been kept in the Czech Republic in spite of unfavourable development: Merino, Walashian sheep, Tsigaya, Sumava sheep, Romanoff sheep, Finnish sheep, Texel, Suffolk, Charolais, East Friesian sheep, etc.

The active sheep population accounted for 11,100 ewes in 1995.

III. Pig breeding in the Czech Republic

Pig production

Pig production is the second most important branch of animal production. As a result of the transformation process in the Czech agriculture, the number of pigs as well as of sows has decreased; in the case of pigs from 4,789 thousand to 3,862 thousand and in the case of sows from 326,000 to 293,000. Proportionally to these numbers the production of slaughter pigs has decreased and the consumption of pork per capita has fallen from 49.9 to 45.6 kg. The Czech Republic is self-sufficient in pork.

More than 50 % of slaughter pig production is provided by large-scale production units with concentrations of 5 to 10 thousand feeder pigs and 500 to 2,000 sows. The rest is provided by units with a smaller concentration of animals. The average slaughter live weight of pigs varied between 115 and 120 kg. But this index is expected to fall to the common European level, i.e. 100- 105 kg. Such development will also be stimulated by the introduction of the classification by means of apparatus.

In total, there are about 10,000 sows in the pig breeding sector (Large White, Landrace, Prestice Black and White pigs, Czech meat breed, and the sire breeds Hampshire, Duroc, Belgian Landrace, and Pietrain).

Reproduction properties, fattening properties, and carcass value are obtained through performance recording. In addition, progeny testing for health, and DNA-tests are carried out for the purpose of revealing the predisposition toward stress.

Breeding value is estimated above all for the purpose of assessing the fattening capacity and carcase value, and since 1995 the BLUP method has been used. As from 1996, it is anticipated to introduce an Animal Model, first for traits relating to fattening capacity and carcase value, and as from 1997 for reproduction traits, as well.

The Association of Pig Breeders in Bohemia and Moravia, located in Prague, was authorised last year to coordinate and guarantee the development of quality and the improvement of the breeds used for hybridisation. Privatised regional organisations have been providing information on productivity checks, turnover of animals, hybridisation programs and insemination service. 60 % of sows have been serviced by A.I.

Hybridisation is markedly applied in the production of fattening pigs. Three-way, or fourway, as the case may be, dominates with the objective of maximizing the utilization of heterosis effect and further hybridization.

All the problems which have been discussed are at present in the process of initial transformation. Attention will be concentrated on previously and recently introduced approaches as well as on the new and updated program. Since 1944 pig breeding has been coordinated by the Czech and Moravian Pig Breeders Union that was entrusted with the responsibility of keeping the Breeding Book of pig breeds.

Breeding objectives: relative weight of traits

At present, the relative weight of single traits in the final breeding index of value is, being 55 reevaluated. New target weights are being worked out. The new situation will then look as follows:

As regards dam breeds, the highest weight will be given to the number of newly born piglets in a litter (cca 50 %), furthermore consideration will be given to the live weight gain, feed conversion and carcass value.

As regards sire breeds, the order of importance of traits will be as follows: carcass value, feed conversion, live weight gain.

Performance testing schemes (data recording)

Till now the following traits have been recorded:

Performance traits:

- number of piglets at birth and after 21 days.

- Fattening ability and carcass value: own performance field tests: live weight gain since the date of birth, thickness of fat in paramedial line

- station tests of progeny: live weight gain, feed conversion, carcass value.

The objectives of the updated, program are as follows:

- to preserves data recording of reproduction traits;

- since the beginning of 1996 testing of own performance (field tests) has been deepened and defined more precisely by means of feeding tests of all breeding pigs under ad-libitum feeding in the period from cca 30 to 85 kg. Group housing was used with a number of 10 to 12 tested pigs in a pen. After finishing the test, the carcass value is estimated by means of ultrasonic equipment.

For the evaluation the following data will be used:

- the live weight gain in the test period (now 60 days)

- the thickness of fact of fat and the estimated percentage proportion of lean meat. It is supposed to be the performance of barrows as defined by the station test method.

- the significance and importance of the station tests of progeny on the fattening capacity and carcass value will be gradually lowered to be replaced by information from the tests of individual performance.

- DNA test to get information about the genotype with regard to the sensitivity to stress is being used for dams. The test aims at getting resistant dam-breeds.

All information concerning data recording and testing are being centrally processed by one computer. For the needs of breeders the computer is printing catalogues of breeding pigs to be sold, pedigree statement, information for selection procedure in herds etc.

Breeding value estimation procedure

Selection indexes for performance traits, for private field tests and for progeny station tests have been used so far. Moreover, the estimation of breeding value estimation by means of animal model is beginning to be used this year. The PEST program (by Prof. Groeneveld) is being used. From 1997 we would like to stop using selection indexes and we shall work just with Animal Model BVE:

for own private field performance tests:

Y = W + S x + M + h + I + u + e

W - weight at the end of the test (fixed)
Sx - sex effect (fixed)
M - effect of a month and year (fixed)
h - herd effect (random)
I - litter effect (random)
U - animal effect (random)
e - residuum for feeding and carcass value:

Y = W + S + Sx + M + h + l + u + e

W - weight before slaughtering (fixed)
S - effect of a test station (fixed)
Sx - sex effect (fixed)
M - effect of a month and year h - herd effect (random)
l - litter effect (random)
U - animal effect (random)
e - residuum

Breeding programs

The breeding programme derives from the classic breeding pyramid. From the total number of sows, about 10 000 are in breeding herds, 30 000 in reproduction herds, and some 240 000 are in commercial herds. The sows of the F, generation (hybrid sows) are being used in commercial herds by crossing dams of white breed and Landrace breed in both reciprocal crosses. The Large White prevails as dams and the Landrace as sires.

Once the breeding values has been estimated according to the Animal Model the nucleus breeding herds will be newly organised. Breeding intensity will be higher in these herds to ensure competitive abilities of the local breeds within the context of European countries.

Tables and Figures

Table I Per capita consumption of selected food items (I kg/year)

Table 2. The cattle population - I989/1995

Table 3. Milk production of milk recorded cows of all breeds in 1995

Table 4. The milk production of top herds of Czech Red Pied Cattle in 1995

Table 5. Best cows of Red Pied cattle

Table 6. Milk recording test of Holstein cows in 1995

Table 7. Best cows of Black Pied cattle

Table 8. Milk production of milk recorded cows of all Breeds in 1995

Table 9. Main production parameters for Black Pied and Red Pied

Table 10. Evolution of the sheep population during the period 1920 - 1995

Table 11. Breeding targets for pigs

Figure 1. Milk recording test of B+ W cows in the period 1990- 1995

Figure 2. Development of pigs (in head)