F1: 5: U I?! O S) H E3 $3 13 E: l =4 ‘I’KIWIHHW ‘ W It E I \ \qu \ WWI MEASURiNG YEARLY ENVIRONMENTAL DIFFERENCES WITHIN A HOLSTElN HERD Thesis for £219 Degree of M. S. MICHIGAN STATE COLLEGE Len fl. ffisfiiiliard 594? ' I -' '-\ D 7N1“, l"."' 77!?) ‘. ,' ". 'vs‘ - ."v' ‘ ,~, ' “‘- I .‘I ’ ' ‘fy—“P: IfiES|$_ . . This is to certify that the thesis entitled "Measuring Yearly Environmental Differences Within A Holstein Herd" presented [)9 L011 D. McGilliard has been accepted towards fulfillment of the requirements for ~__Mg_.S‘gflsdegree i1|_ch1,i.ry _, ,_ ”Q : ./’:2 ”2/, < an -22.. Since all of the differences are alike in that they are the result of comparison with the first year. they may be combined in an average to produce a representative value for each year. As - 79 was the value of 1932. so the eight comparisons of + 5 may be averaged with the eight of - 86 to obtain a base value of - 41 for 1933. This figure is used as the base for the direct comparisons with 1933 given in line 3. In the same manner a direct comparison between 1933 and 1934 yields - 5 which is applied to the 1933 base, - 41. to give - 46. The final value for 1934 in relation to 1931 is the weighted average of the direct comparison with 1931. the indirect comparison through 1932. and the indirect compari- son through 1933. This same general procedire is used right on to the last year. The values in the difference line are then the environmental diffa'ences between each year and 1931. They are. as explained before, averages of all the comparisons between that year and every preceding year. each referred back to the base year. 1931. If a comparison between any two particular years is desired, it may be obtained by taking the difference between the values for those years. A few questions arose in working with this procedire. One was whether a straight average or a weigh ted average would be more desirable in calculating the base values for the various years. Ordinarily a weighted average would be the only method. but in this situation there was a question of whether a greater number of records was more valid than a direct comparison. For example. in 1937 the direct comparisons with 1931 totaled 2. The comparisons of 1937 with 1936 and indirectly to 1931 totaled 9. In a weighting system based on frequencies the latter is weithed 4 1/2 times the first. Siould the 9 indirect comparisons be weighted 4 1/2 times 2 direct comparisons where a direct comparison is certainly more valid than an indirect? It was finally decided that the average weighted as to frequency. in the absence of a method of deter- mining Just what weight each valne should receive. would be more nearly correct. A second question was whether the regression factor was applicable in this procedure. The first method was a straight comparison between each two years. but in this case all records were used and averages of the comparisons were used. It might seem that in the use of averages the reyession value might not apply. but on the other hand every com- parison is between only two lactations. and if the first varied from the herd average, the one following could be expected to be newer the herd average. In this case correction for regression nigit be in order. Table 6 shows the results obtained when correction fa' regression was applied. The regression factor was used on the first year of eadi compari son to predict the probable production for the following years, and differences of the actual records from this probable value were taken. no differences show the same general trend. as nigit be expected, but they are smaller. The third consideration was that this qsta utilized the same records in several different conparisons, these comparisons being averaged to provide a value for each year. For example, 6 of the 8 records used in comparisons of 1933-1931 are used again to compare 1933 wifii 1932: hence these 6 records in 1933 are compared with the base year 6 times directly and 6 times indirectly to constitute 12 of the 16 comparisons making up 8+ a we. a man a me... » own a uni a 3... u H u s on... ” .Fa . own a 3+ ” oi. . n I u on... a 23m u :8 i 2.8 u as » A5 a 88 u 28 s 2.5 a 2.5 s 33 a 2.8 a Rs . a: a G8 a $5 a 3: n “ soonoaommmm 13239—35 a n a u a a u a u a a a u a a a «31 mm- a a a a a a . a a a a a a u a a a my"! 3L ” u a u . a a a a a u a a a a a ma... . no: u a u a a a a . a a a a a u a a 3 SP a bod “ a a a a u a a u a a . u a a .3... ” mm: a man a a a a a u a a a a u a a u . an a; . 8a a 8.3 a u n a u a n a u . a a a » mm... a can a 2... a man a H . u a a n a . a a a u a «H 3% «k: a Amv u mm» a a a a a a a a a a a u . NH... “ no? » em: a 8.. a men a a a . a a a . a a . a u S Ilhmv ”k3 u at “L3 “ibma “ a a a a a a a a a . a l we... a .2... u not ” mm. n «A... a we. a a a a a a . . a a a . 2 Rwy ” 3V“ K3 “F3!” PB a at a . a a a a a a a u . nm+u$uu8uaomaumc.¢oanmln a” a n . a a a a .m LB ” 63 a 3; a 3L ”“3 “boa » 8v . a a . . a a a a “ m9... “ a mm- n man ” am: a an- a 3.. a 2+ » a n a a a a a . a m “U u a “8 a “my “Amy ”LB .39 a Am» a a a a a a . . a m»? a a em: a can n m? u on... u 3.. “ en- a mm... a a . . a a a . a a “S a “hm. a “my a “my “ 3a “ A3 «RB ” “8 a u . . a . a a a a a u a “an...” HI. mm.“ 93“ a» a n a a .o a a a . a a “my a a3 a a3 a 8» . a a a a . a a . a a a n . ”mmannmmmuuomc. a. . a . .m u a u a a a a ”CV “any a a: u a u a . a a u a a a a a owe a a was ” mm: a 2.. . a . . a a e a u 5. u a P . A: a » Amp » “3 ”Amy a u a . . a a u u a a n me... u a do? a moat a n1. » my... a a a a a m a a a u u u ” AC a u “my u G» a Ga ”LNG “ a a . a a . a . a a . a as- a an... » mm... a mi. « an: a u a a w a a u a a . a a u as a as a a; ”3“ ”EV “ a u a u a a a . u . a om...” 5+ ” .95....» 3+” .5...” on!” H “H a a u a a a a a u “my a “3 u as a “my a “8 “bus a a a a a a a a a . . . . a . a a a I mvma . 9mg . 3m." . gm” a mama . fima . ova a mum." a mama . .9an . mama u mama . «.an . mama . mama . Sma » a a a . a a a a a . a a a . a » mzogfigo momma E9580 Bummmgm I on: gm .3 3m: -25.. the average value for 1933. Likewise 4 of the 6 records in 1934 compared with 1931 are used in comparison with 1932 and all of them are compared with 1938 causing comparisons of those six records to appear 16 times in the 24 composing the yearly average. In the analysis of data it is desirable to utilize all informa- tion to the fullest extent, but ordinarily there should be no repetition. Ibis repeated use of records may be Justifiable in the manner in which they was employed here, but an investigation was made to determine the effect of eliminating this repeated use of records in various comparisons. Table ’7 gives the results of this work. The only lactations used in the comparison with each base year were records of cows initiating their pro- duction in the hard that particular year. “he records of cows producing in the herd appear only in comparison with their first year of lactation in the herd. Their records are used in no otha‘ direct comparisons ex- cept with their first year of lactation: hence they appear only once in a yearly average. For example, cows entering the herd in 1982 have com- parisons only on line 2 in which each subsequent record of those cows is compared with the 1932 record to compose differences entering into each respective yearly average. 'Ihose entering in 1933 show only in comparison with 1933. End: individial record appears only once in chari son. These results again show a trend which is sanewhat similar to the previous methods. Table 8 is the final result of this method. It embodies the utilization of all records corrected for regression with a reduction of cumulative error in the last year, and without repetition of records in com- parisons. As for the first method, there is no test of significance for this method. am... a ma... » man van a 8+ ” can a on... a am a 9.. u an: an... a u an. a man a seem a Aev ” Adah ” Aoav Amy . new ” Amy » “my a Ana . hey u Aoav new . ” Aoav “Andy “ 030.333 aooaocwnbnn 1 x u u u a u a u u a u u u a a a a." u a u u u u u a u a a u n a a a a." u u u a u a u u u u a a . a a am: a me... a x a a u a a u a a u a a . a 3” hwy » “my, a u u u a u a a n a a a a a n mm? a Ft ” a u a u a u u a u a a a a a." a “my a Cu u u u u a a a a u n a . a aaa+smon+u aannoau“ a a a a u a a a a a a a «a GP » 8.? u k3 ” n: a a u a a u a a u . u . meuuamnn$auaa+uw+u a“ u a a a a a a u .5 E n V: a Cu u as a as u u u u a a a a . . a n a u a 9... a man u a a a u a u n a a u 3 u u a a n5 . Pub ” u a a a a a a a a 8+»Hn+n¢|umcuma+aStuma...» a a . u u a a «m 4%.: . hd » E a as a flaw u no?” new a a a a u a a a a u a a a a mm: ” ma... . 03+ « u a a a a a a a a a a a a . ad a :v u a a a a a a ” SH...» “moan“vacuaaunalnfioHl. «+7» an a a a a “a hay . a hay a ”Ha ” .Ha “ any a “up! a “my a any n . a a . . a . .aaamn+”ao.n+u ”ea...” “an.o.n+n a» a u a “a . a CL u by a gain a “my a may ”amp a h: . a . u . a a a . a u a ” neaacamamnnmamnn ” a a “a a a a . a a a a “C a as a 2; a a a a a a . a a . . a u a u a a a u u e a u n a a a a a a a a a a u . a n a . a . ”8+” ”manuuoodu» u a u ”a a u u a u a u RS ” a war“ “av » a u u a u u a u a a u u u a. .. u a u a u a m a u a a a a a u a u Cu a a u a . a u n a u u a u a a3... ” aa... a u a man u a ” HI “ a a a u a u n a AWL r haw u a a 3.5 a a a a a a u a . a a a a a a a a a ava a 93 a $3 a aemn « mama » Hem." « 9m." u mama » mama ” mama « mama ” mama « mama a “ mama « Hama “ n a a . a a a a a a u a a a a a 26m afiaaoo Snfin azaaéfiaanaoz a an: an .2» nan: -27- ma... HHaaomlneHluma+uatu 5.7.3.... H... mm... ma... a+.a+.al.oao. . 3. u .3 . 8H. . a... n E . .8 . a. n 2.. u G. n 85 . a. . E a as . 83 n :5 i . 098.333 gomgoogfl a . u u . . n u . . u u . a . in . . mH . a a u u a a a u u a a u n . . . aH . n a . . u . u a n . a n . . n a t . m o . H . u . u u u . a . . . . u a «H Amy . “my a n u n u u . n . . . . . . . . no... . am... . H n u u a . . . . . a . u . aH . Hm. . HH. . . . . n u u . . . . a a . Ham... . mm... a «H: . man u a . . . u a . a u a u . . NH HS}. RV . H: u E . u . . u . u . . a . . . av.- . am.- . vac . 0.1... . aa+ . H u a u a a . a a . u . HH “Hy » HHV . “Hy . AHV . AHV . . . . . a a . a . n n n . . . oa+ a Hm: . a n a . . a . . u . . oH . a . . Rb . 8v . u . . . a . . u a . nva... oH+.mI.aI.Ha+.mt.¢a+. H. . a . . a u . am hH. . HHV . “my . Haw. Hay . H3 . 3; n . . . a a . . n . . . . n a ma.- . mOH... . amH... . H . a . a . . u . a a a . a . H5 . AH. . HUI. . a a . a . a . aaH+ . a m?- . 5H: . e + a ma... . ea... . am... . «a... . N . a u . . . a a E . ”La . E ”be . E n E u E s E u n . u u . . u u . h9H... . oH... . mm... . u an... . NH... . mm... . aa+ . H . . u a . . a . . AH. .. E . HC . . KS . 35‘. may ”hwy . . . a a . . u a u . . a n u aaHu . aaHI . aaHn . a . n u . a a a a n . u . u . AH. . «C » AH» . . a . . a a . u . . . . . a . . . a u u . . e a . . . . . . n . . u . n . u . a u . a n . nae... .mmHnunOHI.m+.m¢I. N. . .a . . . a u u n “H. a . Ha. .hay .. “a? . H3 . . a . u u u . . a . n u . av... . am.- ” ma+ » aaHu . u . u m n . . . . . . . u . “H. . AHV . hwy . Am. a . u a . . . . . . a a aa+ . 5+ . am+ . «v... . Ha... . one u s . H . . a . a . a . . KS . ha . E . H8 . 3P . HHS . . . . . . . .. a a . . . . a . u . 35H . mde . vomH . a..va . mva . HemH . ova . mamH . aamH . mamH . mamH . aamH . hvamH . aamH . mamH . HamH . . n . . . . . . . a . . a . u . azow Hfimzoo Banana 354055.202 £583.80 onmmHmwm—m .. HIHH 21E .2: as.» PLAN III - ADJUSTED MEAN MITRENCES 'lhe last method is a relatively complicated system requiring con- siderable calculation. but carrying a test of significance. It is offered as a possibility for more exacting environmental determinations and as a check on the two preceding plans. Nelson (3) found the least squares method of fitting constants as shown by Yates (5) to be applicable to similar data to these in environmental difference determinations. The method was satisfactory except for the ex- tremely lengthy calculations. Since these data were similar in being adaptable to a tw0 way table of classes containing disprOportionate numbers, it was decided to use the least squares method of fitting constants to analyze these data. However, an alternate method was offered which seaned much simpler and was adapted for this trial. he method used is that described by Patterson (4) as a method of adjusting which when applied to data with unequal subclass numbers, makes it possible to obtain a sum of squares for each source of variance that is free of the influence of the other effect. Likewise adjusted border means may be calculated by the method of adjusting, such means being devoid of the con- founding effect produced by disprOpor tionate subclass numbers. A complete discussion of the method may be had by referring to the original article. 'lhis paper will be confined principally to a description of the actual pro- cess involved. 'Ihe problm is to adjust the data so that the adjusted year means will be devoid of any effect of group. 'Ihe first Operation is that of -29- setting the data up in a two way table mch as that shown in Table 9. The data are divided into cow groups as the first step. A cow group consists of all individuals having identical emer iences in that they have lactations in the same years. For instance Cow Group 1 contains 5 cows and the only cows in the herd who have records only in 1931 and 1932. In Cow Group 2 is . one cow, the only one with records in 1981,1982. and 1983. Cow Group 3 con- sists of 2 cows having records in 1931,1932, 1933, and 1934. This continues to Cow' Group 40 which contains 2 cows with lactations in 1944, 1945, and 1946. Altogether there are 40 cow groups containing 183 individual records. After the division is made according to cow groups, the records of each cow group are placed in their respective years. Thus we have subclasses divided on the basis of cow groups and years. A simplification of the data thus set up may be provided. If a mean is taken for each cow group. and these means compared with the mean of the entire data. the differences show how much each youp is above or below the population average. If the individuals within each group are corrected so that each group mean is equal to the over-all mean, then there are no differences between groups. This process is shown ‘w be following equation: (1) x“ - x1 + x = A” where I“ is the i th cow in the Jth row or column. 11 is the mean of the Jth row or column, i is the grand mean. and A” is the adjusted‘ith cow in the Jth row or colnmu. Then : (2) ZULU-15+ DH: ".1 his does not affect the variability within subclasses: hence it is necessary to correct only the means of the subclasses: “wodmouw .mmnaw .wmmméams .wmma H.N.nma 0.39 Oomamawstma mobmn» m .wbm. wsgm méomg .ncmamumom; .nvma ado: Wham as... 22¢ 8 u: «2 u: u: so u: ”S l”... “3 ”ma .m ”2. 2.: EH .3 u 62 .13 + 3.4% “mmmkuammrwémmpw. . a . . . a a a . a . a u 9 . n . . . . a a . n u . n a a a u u n n n u a . u u . . a u n . u u u . m6... ... 368 a n . . a u . ”m8 .oum “New Sam . . a u . . om mtfi ... .068 a . u . a a . . . 2:3 ”mom a u . u u a mu «.3 I “069 a u . n n . u u .m? “8» «8* Ema . a u a . m.” cf: .. 56m... . a . n u a . .nmm . have ”can u “no..." 39 a u n 5 «Jma .. as? . u a a u n u . . “com 8d... 88 EB 65 s u . on «Km + 3&3 . u a u u u u a » ”mom . n 33 3mm . . u a." «.mm .. 5.3.... . . s . n a a u . . 3m... . 3mm 53 . u . v... on? + ”065 a a u u u a u u a a . 3mm 3mm .Ko . u n m." can + 8&3 . u u s u n n . a u 58 some 8mm . ”men a n ma #43 + $650 a u u a . a . a a a a . 33 35 no: u u 3 «.mm .. 8.30 a a u u . u n a . . . u . 38 .8... . . 3 5mm .. 3.26 . . . a u a . n . Emu home . ”wow ES 59 3mm . m v.3 + $.93 “ u a . u n u a u .mom 2.2. u .93 ”mam . “Sn . a comma ... ”mice n . a . a a u u u . anon “SK. . .8.» 3cm 2....» u a mi... 0 3.63 a a u . a n u a a a a 2.5 . 3mm ”3n .8» n w m6 a "ammo n u a a a a u . . u . .mwv ”mam .mmv . .amo a a o.» .. 3.5» . a u u n a . u . a . 33 Ban 3.... 25¢ 3mm . v v.3 .. 3.8m . n a . a . . a a . . . .mnn@.mm¢@.mme®.mmm 6. n «A: .. 2.”.va ” a n . a . u . . . . u n 39 .33“ Sam . N hum» .. .m.mwm . u a . a n u . . u . n . . somebfinmw. H v a new: “mom." ”mom.” 3va ”Q5." $de .32.. ”QmH 3an «mama .ban 3me Emma 3an ”mam... .Nmmu :an ”ducky ” u n n . u u . . . . u n u a . . a a8 359mm ho Hag H43 05 was” .5" fig.“ -31- _ (3)11J-XJ+X=A1J x” being the mean of the ith subclass in the jth row or column and 113. the corrected mean of the ith subclass in the jth row or column. This is the process of adjustment to be used in the analysis. 'lhe adjustment process is useful in this case where the sub- class numbers are unequal. When subclass numbers are disproportional, the differences between border means are not true estimates of the parameter differences because the differences are determined not only by one classification but include some of the effects of the otha' classi- fication. For example, the differences between year means contain some of the cow group differences: likewise group mean differences include some of the effects of year mean differences. The object then is to remove the effects of group mean differences from the year mean differences which may be done by adjusting according to the final equation. me first step is to estimate the sun of squares (he to year means. he year mean differences contain effects of grozp because of dis- proportionate subclass numbers: hence if all group means are corrected to the grand mean, the group effect will be removed from the year differences. 'lhis adjustment is shown in Table 10. All group means are adjusted to the grand mean so no difference remains between them. The sum of squares of years means with group effect removed is than 89,700. 'ihis figure is less than it diould be because the removed group differences contained some year effects due to disproportionate subclass numbers: therefore an adjustment in the other direction must be made to remove these effects. When year differences are renoved by readjustment. the group «NEH c3. 8.. .HifimfiHtmec.m.mH+.o.H.M+.e.m.n um. £7 .m.mn...m. m»... n33... .o. n... .mbfilqomt e m.H¢m .. use... efiuc.o.fin.a.mnm.m. 89H... «$3.3m.o.aHm.m.mmm.m.mam.w.nnm.JM .nmmn.¢&on.a. can... .mmm.m 633.3913? use: .. .mHm,m..mmm./w.ocmw. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0v . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .93 .36 .man .58 . . . . . . 8 g . . . . . . . . . .mmn .amm . . . . . . mH a . . . . . . . . :8 3.... $0... How . . . . . mH .. . . . . . . . .mmm . .80 .80 . .03 38 . . . aH . .. . . . . . . . . . 3mm .9... .03 .38 .m8 . . . 3 we. a . . . . . . . . . .Hmv . . .80 .80 . . . mH . .. . . . . . . . . . . .nce . $8 .3.» . . . «H .. . . . . . . . . . . . :3 33 3mm . . . 9H .. , . . . . . . . . . . .30 $5. .30 . .mmm . . NH .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .amm .mmn .mmm . . HH .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9...» .me... . . 0H .. . . . . . . . . . .8» .03 . .wnw .mdm .mmv 3mm . m .. . . . . . . . . . .m? 3.8 . Sun .80 . .anm . m .. . . . . . . . . . . .nQ. .mmm . .30 36 .men . a .. . . . . . . . . . . . .mmm . .08 Kid .mmm . m .. . . . . . . . . . . . .8... 3.3 3.3. . .onm . m .. . . . . . . . . . . . .93 2.8 .95 HS. .03 . e .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hmm®.Hnn®.¢mm®.omn®. n .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .03 .09. .mnm . m «Hem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .nHmQ.Em©. H see: 8va .mva, 3va .93 .mva .HomH .92 3an .mme 2.an .33 3an 3an 3an .Nan .83 .30.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . soc mag 8h aaambad ammnh .H Man -33.. differences will no longer be zero, again due tounequa'l subclass numbers. The sum of squares is then calculated for group means yielding 8.200. This is a portion of the year sum of squares removed in the first adjust- ment for group and is added to the first sum 89,700 to give 97, 900 as a sum of squares for between years. Again readjustmmt must be made for group effects, and the weighted sum of squares calculated. As this procedure continues. each readjustment recovers a portion of the between year sum of squares lost in the first adjustment. The total of all the sums of squares is the sum of squares of between year means. his total consists of the con- tributions from both sets of border means. Continued readjustments result in smaller and snaller sums of squares, and they should cease when the adjustment results in only a fraction of the initial aim of squares. The sum of squares for between years. in this case after 5 adjustments, is 89,700 + 8,3)0 + 1,200 + 1,600 + 700 or 101.400. Further adJu stment in this direction is unnecessary because the part of the year differences unrecovered is small since the last sun of squares is only a fraction of the initial sum of squares. The variation between years has been determined: the next step is to estimate the sum of squares for cow groups. This is accomplished by similar adjustments except that the first correction must be made to remove the effects of year this time. he same process follows and yields a sun of squares for between cow groups of 848,900 from 4 adjustments com- posed of sums of squares. 801.000 #- 36,000 + 4,900 + 2,000. 'ihe sums of squares for between years and between cow groups -34- having been determined. interaction can be calculated. The assumption is made that the sum of squares of the subclass means they are adjusted for border effects is an efficient estimate of the variance the to inter- action. The combined results are shown in Table 11. TABLE II. ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE OF YEARLY DIFFERENCES IN PRODUCTION “'3' Source of Variance 8 D/l' 8 an of Squares : Mean Square 1 i i Between Subclasses 8 157 : 1,610,0(1') 8 10,300 Between Year Means : 15 8 101.400 : 6.760 Between Cow Group Means : 39 : 843,900 : 21,638 8 3 8 r 2- 6.7505,.” = 1.048 lbs analysis of variance shows no evidence of significance in year mean differences. This may be due to the small mmb er of individuals or the scattering and numerous subclasses. but no evidence of significance is demonstrated in the yearly environmental differences in this herd. One difficulty lies in the fact that there is more variance within year than between years. Although the yearly diffa'ences in these data may not be signifi- cant. the rest of the method will be presented to compare with the two plans already presented. from the adjustments already made the adjusted year means. relatively free of group effect. may be determined. This consists of adding to the gand mean the correction factors or the differences be- tween the succeeding group adjusted year means and the grand mean. Con- tinually diminishing differences are obtained with each adjustment. For the purpose of this study the total of the differences between each group -35- adJusted year mean and the grand mean may be used. The results of this process are shown in Table 12. From these the yearly differences can be computed by taking the differences between the total corrections of the years in question. To be on the same basis as the results of the previous trials. differences are taken between 1931 and each succeeding year. As shown, this method has the advantages of utilizing all possible data and it has a test of significance. 0n the other hand, it requires considerable computation especially considering that at best the result is only an approximation. ~86- TABLE III. ENVIRONMENTAL DH’FRENCES DETERMINED BY ADIUST.HETHOD ; Adjustments ; * : Environmental 3 1 ' 2 3 3 ‘ Total : Difference 1931 g + 20.9 8 + 3.0: +2.2: + 25.1 : Base 1932 i - 21.8 : + 0.9: +2.2: - 18.7 - 4.5 1933 : 4- 5.0 : + 8.18 +1.8: + 9.9 2. - 15 1934 :4' 15.3 ;+ 3.4: +1.6; 4 20.3 ; '- 6 1935 : + 38.5 : + 6.98 +2.1: 4 47.5 i + 21 1936 i - 38.8 : ~ 5.7! -0.9: - 45.4 g - 72 1937 ; -17.5 : -- 4.92 “1.6: - 24.0 E "' 50 1988 i- 7.4 E- 4.3: .2.0: ~ 13.7 § - 40 1939 E + 31.0 E + 1.6: 4.6: + 32.0 1 + 5 1940 :4 15.3 :4 2.5: +0.5: 4 18.3 : ~ 8 1941 i - 24.2 ; + 1.9: +0.8: - 21.5 : - 48 1942 i + 17.6 Q + 1.3; -o.7§ + 18.2 Q - s 1943 ; - 17.1 : - 3.2: -1.7; - 22.0 : - 48 1944 i - 39.4 ; - 3.3: “2.0; "' 25.7 i - 52 1945 ;- 1.5 :- 4.9: -2.7: - 9.1 ; - 35 1946 ; + 35.4 ;+ 3.1; 43.9: + 38.6 i 'I' 13 *m of group adju goup adjustments. sted year mean - grand mean differences for three 8 2 COWARI SON OF PLANS Three methods have been presented for determining the yearly environmental differences within a hard. It might now be desirable to compare these methods as to their possible merit. Each of the methods was used to calculate the yearly environ- mental differences in the M. S. C. Holstein herd over a period. of 16 years. To be placed on an equivalent basis. they were conputed in relation to the base or first year, 1931. Table 13 contains the results of the three plans including 5 variations of the second plan. It met be remembered that the number of records was small which limits the validity of any of the calculations. and the analysis of variance gave no indication of significant year differences in average production. The adjusted means method supposedly gives the most likely correct values for yearly environmental differences although the devia- tions are a little smaller than they might be if flue adjustments had been carried further. Since this method should be reliable. it is used as a standard for comparison with the less elaborate systems. I-A. the paired year comparison, is apparently completely out of preportion in this emu. There is an extreme accumulation of negative values throwing the comparison very Inch out of line. 1-3. likewise, is not well in agreement with the otha' results. Why this systen should produce such an increasing negative value still is not apparent. II-A. II-B. and II-C are the variations of the direct comparison plan utilising all the comparisons with every year. As was stated earlier, there is some question as to whether the weighted average was really Justified in this case where a direct comparison is more reliable than an m. ENVIRONMENTAL DIFFERENCES DETERMINED BY VARIOUS METHODS TABLE XIII. .. II-D: II~3: III II-A : II-B : II-C : I-B I-A Base Year 1931: 16 0000000000 w 6 .0 .. 8 .0 o. 9 7 8 5 w n .9 9 7 3 a 9 7 n. my 1932: - '79 1988: - 86 8 1934: - 6 36:+ ~22:- 46 91 141+ 10 1935: - 103 z - + 5 548+ 218+ 11 66 5% .. .. z .0 .. 5 5 1936: - 212 i - 167 : 1937: - 189 8 - 147 8 '71:- 55 :-1048- 8 54:- --98 1938: - 196 : - 182 : 1 47:- -988-1208- 6 4. 63 18+ 25:+ -42:+ 198- 65 598- 8 19408 - 191 8 - 11:4» 20:+ 41 19418 - 235 -116 :-123: :9‘...’ 9 3 + 4 1 m 4. 3 ‘38:: 8 8 8 194.2: - 230 1943: - 283 19448 - 288 8 - 166 8 52 75 -1338-1288- 96:-66:-328-118 35 -119 : - 1945: - 278 : -154 8 8 8 8 218+ 288+ 218+ 698 +13 19468-2938-1508 8 ) d O t 'C nu mm an We 0.... CB ‘ te cr owe mm... C - I I ' n 0 a I... u m a V. d e r 1 a P A . I I. m) mm. 1.1 t u. WC .1 en. en C. mm mm D . I I '1] we 86 1m m... r. 00 CC mu 0 1 18 C Mace re .16 mm B . I II-E Direct Compari son II-A Direct Comparison (Weignted) (Regression Corrected) (Non-Diplicating) AdJus ted Means II -B Direct Comparison (Unweigited) III indirect comparison, but if it is assumed that the indirect comparisons are reliable, the weighted average is desirable. II-C is theoretically the best estimate of the three as it includes the weigIted averages and is also corrected to counteract the effects of the expected regression from a single record toward the herd average in succeeding records. It will be noted that it is in general agreement with the "adjusted mean“ values. The trend in direction in every year except 1937 agrees, or each year is + or - in respect to the preceding year in both results. II-D and II-E are the products of the same type of calculation as the preceding three methods, but each individual is used in only one comparison rather than being used repeatedly as in the preceding types. II—D is the straight weighted average calculation while II-E is corrected for regression. In both of these the general picture is similar to the "adjusted means" result. One point demonstrates itself fairly well in that the regression corrected figures are drawn closer to zero deviation than the uncorrected. Where negative differences predominated in the uncorrected figures, the regression correction pulls them down until positive differences appear also. 'Ihe regression corrected figures of all methods correspond more closely to the "adjusted mean" results than do the uncorrected. If the "adjusted mean" differences are assumed to be the most reliable, the most closely agreeing would be method II-C or II-E. The numbers of records are so small, however, that no definite statement should be made concerning the best system especially in view of the fact that no significant difference between years was evident. It seemed that it might be interesting to apply these differences -40.. as corrections to the actual herd averages each year to see what picture they night prodice. Inch difference was applied to the herd average of each respective year as a correction or with its sign reversed. If the yearly environmental difference was positive, the year was better than the base year: hence, that difference must be deducted from the herd average to make all yearly averages equivalent. The results of applying I-B and II-l are shown graphically in comparison with III and the actual herd averages in Figure 3: II-C and II-E are compared in Figure 4. With the assumption that III is correct, its curve waild indi- cate the genetic trend of the herd. By means of the conputation of Plan III nearly all environmental differences are removed frm the herd average leaving only the heredity differences. This then gives the picture of the success of the breeding and selection operations carried on by the breeder in respect to butterfat production. WY 'ihe mistaking of environmental effects for hereditary effects is one of the h'eeder's largest barriers to the rapid improvement of his herd. the removal of the confu sing effects of environment is highly desirable and can be accomplished with greater practicability statistically. Various methods of equalizing yearly environmental differences were presented, all of these being based on the theory that under constant environmental conditions, an individual cow should produce the same amount of butterfat each lactation. Any variation from this even production should be due in varying environmental effects. The mature equivalent, 3X, 305-dsy records of all cows in the Holstein herd at 11.8. C. with more than one lactation since 1930 used to compare the various methods of determining the yearly environmental differ- ences in the herd. The first method was a comparison of the records of cows in one year with the records of the same individials in the succeeding year. his method is simple and brief, but it has no test of significance: any errors may be eumlative with the use of a base year: and not all records can be utilized where there is a skipping of years. In this particular case selection in the herd affected the results for which a regression correction was made. The second method was characterized by the use of direct comparison of records of cows in each year with the records of the same cows in a base year where possible and indirect comparison elsewhere. Weighted and straight averages for computing difference values and regression corrections -44.. were utili zed and compared. Another variation was presented in which duplications of comparisons were avoided and the comparisons of records of the same cow were used only once. This general method is slightly more complicated than the first method, but it has the added advantage of utilizing all available records of cows with two or more lactations. There is still no test of significance. The final method was a lengthy process of adjustment of border means. The computation is the limiting factor in this method. It does have the advantage of utilizing all of the records, and there is a test of significance to indicate if there is a yearly difference which needs correcting. Since there was no evidence of significant difference between years, and since the number of records was small, few conclusions may be drawn from the analysis of the methods. They are suggested as possibili- ties. Fhere selection is employed in the herd as is the umal occurrence, some correction must be made. A more precise correction than the re- gression factor used in this study must be determined. 'iha'e is considerable question as to the validity of mature equivalent conversion factors which may have some bearing on this work. 'Ihese must be correct or the entire basis of the determination is destroyed. There is some question as to how useful they are, and there is no doubt but that they may be very incorrect for certain individials. When there is such a definite doubt about M.E. conversion factors. more errors may be introduced than are removed. Probably the only solution to this is to use only the actual mature records of the cows. Obviously this would require a tremendous number of cows in the herd, more than the average -5- herd contains since the makedup of most herds is young cows. It would seem that the type of environmental corrections dis- cussed in this paper are, in general fairly impractical at present. If only records of mature cows in sufficient numbers were available, and if it could be determined.what.their likely production might be to eliminate the regression factor or if they were unselected animals, there might be encouragement for the use of one of these methods. At present the value obtained from the results may'be overbalanced.by the error and.the compu- tati on involved. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) L ITEA’IURE CI TED Johannson, I. " Undersokningar over avkastnings - resultaten inom thorsgtrabesattningen under stallfodring och betsesgdng. Noddelande Fran Kingl. Landtbruksakademiens Lantbmksavdelning Nr. 138 1-53. 1988 (Cited by n. H. Nelson. See Reference (3) ). 101.1311. Jay Le Animal Breeding Plans, Third Edition. Iowa State College Prass. 1945. Nelson, R. H. 'me Effects of Inbreeding on a Herd of Holstein-Friesian Cattle. {thesis for Ph.D. degree, Iowa State College. 1943. Patterson, R. E. The Use of Adjusting Factors in the Analysis of Data with Disprcportionate Subclass Numbers. Jour. Am. Stat. Assoc.. 418 334-346. 1946. Yates, F. 'me Analysis of Multiple Classifications with Unequal Numbers in the Different Classes. Jour. Am. Stat. Assoc" 29: 51-69. 1934. nummmwmwugrwmm 1293 031