Scienceline Publications Online Journal of Animal and Feed Research 2228-7701 6 4 2016 July ESTIMATION OF GENETIC PARAMETERS FOR REPRODUCTIVE TRAITS OF FOGERA AND HOLSTEIN FRIESIAN CROSSBRED CATTLE AT METEKEL RANCH, AMHARA REGION, ETHIOPIA 90 95 http://www.ojafr.ir/main/attachments/article/122/Online%20J.%20Anim.%20Feed%20Res.,%206(4)%2090-95,%202016.pdf EN Belay ZELEKE Lecturer, Arba Minch University, P O Box 21, Arba Minch, Ethiopia Kefelegn KEBEDE Scientific Assistant, University of Hohenheim, Germany Ajay Kumar BANERJEE Professor, Haramaya University, PO Box 138, Haramaya, Ethiopia The study was carried out at Metekel ranch, Amhara region, Ethiopia, with the objective of estimating genetic parameters for reproductive traits of Fogera and Holstein Friesian crossbreed cattle. The data used in the study included pedigree records and reproductive performance records of animals born from 1990 to 2012.The parameters were estimated by using Variance Component Estimation (VCE 6.0) software. Four models were used Viz. Model1: Y= Xb+Z1a + e; Model2:Y=Xb+Z1a+Z3c + e; Model3: Y=Xb+Z1a+Z2m+ e; cov a,m=0 and Model4: Y= Xb + Z1a + Z2m+ Z3c + e; cov a, m=0.Traits like Gestation Length (GL), Calving Interval (CI) and Days Open(DO) were estimated using model2 and 4 which fit permanent environmental effect due to repeated records per cow. Whereas, age at first service (AFS) and age at first calving (AFC) were estimated using model 1, 3, and 4. Estimates of direct heritability of the studied traits ranged from 0.01±0.05 for DO to 0.26±0.21 for AFS, besides high error variance was observed. The phenotypic correlations between traits ranged: 0.33 to 0.99 between CI and DO and GL and DO respectively. And genetic correlations ranged from -1.0 to 1.0 between GL and CI between CI and DO respectively. The result in this study indicates there were low heritability estimates high environmental variances which imply selection based on phenotypic performance of animals was unlikely to bring genetic progress in the studied herd because of the low estimate of heritability of the trait. Besides, The result showed there was moderate to high correlation that indicated selection for one trait will affect the correlated traits. Thus, selection method, in addition to individual records, should incorporate pedigree and progeny information in the form of an index to get optimum genetic progress in the studied population. In addition, selection for any particular trait(s) must be carried out with caution as it could have an adverse effect due to correlated response on the correlated traits. Correlation Crossbred Economic traits Fogera and Holstein Friesian Genetic parameter Heritability Metekel ranch Reproductive trait