Current state of and prospects for selection in reindeer husbandry

• Main Author: Muuttoranta, Kirsi
• Other Authors: Åhman, Birgitta, University of Helsinki, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Department of Agricultural Sciences, Animal Science / Animal breeding, Maa- ja elintarviketalouden tutkimuskeskus (Biotekniikka- ja elintarviketutkimus / Geneettinen tutkimus), Helsingin yliopisto, maatalous-metsätieteellinen tiedekunta, maataloustieteiden laitos, Helsingfors universitet, agrikultur-forstvetenskapliga fakulteten, institutionen för lantsbruksvetenskaper, Mäki-Tanila, Asko
• Format: Doctoral or Postdoctoral Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Helsingin yliopisto 2014
• Subjects: kotieläinten jalostustiede; Kaamanen; North Atlantic; North Atlantic oscillation; reindeer husbandry
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10138/42855

Reindeer husbandry is highly valued in Finland. Nevertheless, the profitability of reindeer herding could be improved. Limited pasture resources restrict the opportunities for increasing the number of animals per area; hence, the focus should be on higher quality. Selection of breeding animals could be an effective tool for economic development, bringing with it permanent changes in productivity. Information on the practices of and potential for selection in reindeer husbandry is lacking. The aim of this study was to examine the current state of selective breeding, genetic variation in the traits related to meat production and prospects for genetic improvement. The current state of selection was explored by interviewing the managers of reindeer-herding cooperatives. All the responding managers (45/56) considered selection very important among the herding operations. Meat production was regarded as the main source of income, and the main selection criteria for improving the efficiency of production were calf size and dam properties. They were highly prioritized throughout the reindeer-herding area. Hence, it is feasible to contemplate founding joint operations for genetic improvement, such as guidelines and recommendations for breeding schemes, regardless of the region or cultural background of a herder. The variation in meat production traits was studied, using Kutuharju (Kaamanen, Finland) experimental reindeer data. The calf traits included birth date, birth weight and growth. The variation was highly influenced by environmental and management factors. Some of the annual variation could be explained by the North Atlantic Oscillation indices summarizing major weather conditions. The calf traits had direct heritability values of 0.23-0.27, while birth weight and growth also showed maternal heritability values of 0.18-0.24. The direct-maternal genetic correlation in growth was strongly negative (-0.73); therefore dam quality must also be included in the selection criteria. In addition to the dam s maternal care, ...