Quantitative trait loci analysis on 17 nonproduction traits in the New Zealand dairy population

Seven New Zealand Holstein-Friesian families and two Jersey families, a tot al of 274 sires, were analyzed in a granddaughter design for marker-quantit ative trait loci associations. For 17 nonproduction traits (management, siz e, and conformation traits), an across-family analysis was undertaken using multimarker regression procedures. Threshold levels were set empirically b y permuting the data. A quantitative trait locus for stature was identified on chromosome 14, which was significant at the 15% experimentwise level (s uggestive linkage). The quantitative trait locus was identified to be segre gating in three of the nine families.