Correlation between descriptive and group type traits in the system of cow’s linear classification of Ukrainian Brown dairy breed

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the phenotypic relationships between descriptive and group linear-type traits and the final score of first-born cows of the Ukrainian Brown dairy breed. The data from the linear estimation were collected on the population of 707 cows in six herds in the Sumy region of Ukraine from 2000 to 2018. It was found that the level of correlations between descriptive and group traits of the conformation, which characterize the dairy strength, frame, feet/legs, and udder, differed in significant variability by direction, strength, and reliability. The level of positive phenotypic correlations of descriptive traits with all group traits of the conformation type and the final score was height (0.19–0.34 and 0.34), chest width (0.06–0.29 and 0.17), body depth (0.28–0.53 and 0.48), angularity (0.35–0.77 and 0.62), rump width (0.29–0.36 and 0.46), rear legs posture (0.33–0.37 and 0.48), front udder attachment (0.23–0.39 and 0.41), height of rear udder attachment (0.17–0.27 and 0.29), and central ligament (r = 0.16–0.39 and 0.36). The body condition score was related to group traits but in a negative value, with correlation coefficients ranging from −0.07 (legs) to −0.47 (dairy strength). The level of correlation between descriptive traits and the final score indicated that the selection based on the results of good development of these traits will contribute to the overall progress of cows in the direction of the desired dairy type.