Design And Application Of Software For Dairy Cattle Genetic Evaluation

With the DHI production management system as a technical backup, this software system is designed to meet the actual requirements of Shanghai Local Cow Genetic Evaluation Project. It has adopted Microsoft SQL Server to manage the data information, utilized the numerical calculation language"Fortran"and the visual programming tool"Delphi"as its development tool, and been designed with the Object Oriented Programming Method (OOPM).The algorithms in this system have been designed in accordance with advanced theories on cow genetic evaluation. Under this software system, four production traits, namely, milk yield, fat yield, protein yield and somatic cells score were evaluated using Whole-period Animal Model and Random Regression Test Day Model. There are two options of method in the genetic parameter estimation, one is REML, and the other is GIBBS Sampling. The breeding value is predicted by BLUP both for single-trait and for multiple-trait.The algorithms in this system were designed in accordance with the theories of genetic parameter estimation for dairy cattle, including Test Day Model and Random Regression Model. The system asks questions interactively, the user may choose proper model and set appropriate parameters accordingly. This text user interface is definitely easier to use, therefore the genetic parameter estimation and breeding value prediction for dairy cattle would be facilitated.Employing the RDS theory of Microsoft, this system realized the completeness, consistency and security of the data information, meanwhile, the user could manage the data with ease.As a design with OOPM, this research decreases the number of source program codes, enhances credibility and efficiency of the system, and makes the system such a well-structured, easy to maintain and upgrade one.