Cluster analysis on across country genetic correlations for conformation traits in Holstein cattle breed

Th e aim of this paper is to investigate across country genetic correlations of conformation traits of 21 Holstein bull populations, using cluster analysis. Data consisted of across country genetic correlations of 18 conformation traits estimated by Interbull for the April 2011 routine genetic evaluation. For cluster analysis, the distance measure (dij) between countries i and j was calculated as dij=1-rG2 ij, where rGij is the genetic correlation between countries i and j. Traits showed diff erent mean distances with the lowest value for udder depth (0.062) and the highest for locomotion (0.441). For traits with similar defi nition further investigation is needed to understand diff erences within cluster. Also, more attention needs to be paid to countries that defi ne or record traits diff erently from what is suggested by World Holstein Friesian Federation.