Estimation of economic values for milk coagulation properties in Italian Holstein-Friesian cattle

The economic values (EV) of production traits, rennet coagulation time (RCT, min), and curd firmness (a30, mm) were derived for Italian Holstein-Friesian dairy cattle, based on the Grana Padano cheese industry. Three different sets of EV for RCT and a30 were estimated, assuming +2.5% (scenario 1), +5% (scenario 2), and +10% (scenario 3) increment in cheese yield due to the effect of milk coagulation properties (MCP). A model was developed to simulate the transformation of milk into Grana Padano cheese. The EV of RCT and a30 were −€2.213, −€4.426, and −€8.852/min, and €0.877, €1.755, and €3.509/mm for scenarios 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Relative emphasis of traits in the breeding objectives of the Italian Holstein-Friesian dairy cattle population should account for the effect of MCP on cheese yield. Economic values for milk components and MCP were affected by changes of dairy products, whereas variations of feed prices did not influence EV of RCT and a30.