Traits other than production over lactations and production seasons in dairy cows milked once a day in New Zealand

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate traits other than production (TOP) over multiple seasons and lactations in Holstein‐Friesian (F), Jersey (J) and crossbred (F × J) cows milked once a day (OAD) in New Zealand. Cows in different lactations were scored for 18 TOP during three consecutive seasons from 2013 to 2015. Overall, there was a decrease in scores for stature, body capacity, rump width, legs, rear teat placement and dairy conformation over seasons, and a simultaneous increase in the scores for rump angle, udder support, udder overall and body condition score. Most udder traits showed a gradual decrease over lactations. The results of this study showed that improvements in TOP can be made by selecting for a particular body conformation, which is due to a correlated response to selection over time. Jerseys better adapt to the shift from TAD to OAD milking than F × J and F due to their better udder conformation.