A research on longevity, culling reasons and milk yield traits in between Holstein and Simmental cows

Abstract

In recent years, dairy cattle breeders prefer Simental cows due to higher breeding time and lower incidence of disease, although they have lower milk yield than Holstein cows. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate longevity, the culling reason and some milk yield traits in between the two breeds to investigate the accuracy of this preference. All data that used were collected from herd (Bursa-Karacabey state farm) records belongs to culling cows in two years (2015-2016) and analysed. Longevity for Holstein and Simmental cows were determined 33.6±1.08 month and 33.7±1.21 month. Average lactation milk yield (LMY), 305 days milk yield (305-dMY) and days in milk (DIM), were found to be 8515.63±196.507 kg, 7517.98±148.289 kg and 403.75±9.575 days respectively for Holstein cows and 6079.75±163.126 kg, 5525.71±117.931 kg and 351.40±8.559 days for Simental cows. While the differences between two breeds in terms of longevity and culling reasons were not significant, Holstein cows had higher milk yield than Simmental cows. As a conclusion, it can be said that Holstein cows is the best choice for dairy breeders in local circumstances.

Energy Balance Indicators during the Transition Period and Early Lactation of Purebred Holstein and Simmental Cows and Their Crosses

“…In contrast to other studies, where Simmental cows or crossbred cows have a higher milk fat content than the Holstein cows [3,35,64], there was no difference among the genetic groups in our study. Besides the genetic composition, other factors can affect the milk fat content, e.g., the diet offered to the cows, or the lactation stage.…”

“…The genetic selection towards milk yield has been more intensified for the Holstein breed reflecting the better performance for cows with higher Holstein proportions in comparison to Simmental cows [26]. A lower milk yield of Simmental cows in comparison to Holstein cows has been reported in various studies [27,63,64]. Generally, Simmental cows reach approximately 70 to 80% of the milk yield of Holstein cows.…”

Bazı sütçü sığır ırklarında somatik hücre sayısı (SHS) ve süt üre nitrojen (MUN) seviyesinin süt verimi ve bileşimine etkileri

“…Simental ırkında 8125 kg olarak elde edilen süt verimi ise;Koç & Arı (2020) tarafından bildirilen 8235 kg değerine oldukça yakın, Karslıoğlu-Kara & ark. (2021) tarafından bildirilen 6972.5 kg, Karslıoğlu-Kara & Koyuncu (2018) tarafından bildirilen 7518 kg değerlerinden ise daha yüksek bulunmuştur.…”

“…tarafından bildirilen 322.72 gün, Karslıoğlu-Kara & Koyuncu (2018) tarafından bildirilen 351 gün değerlerinden ise daha uzun bulunmuştur. Siyah Alaca ırkında 466 gün olarak elde edilen değer ise, Karslıoğlu-Kara & Koyuncu (2018) tarafından bildirilen 403.75 gün,Karaağaç & Genç (2019) tarafından bildirilen 398 gün,Genç & Soysal (2018) tarafından bildirilen 364 gün,Sarar & Tapkı (2017) tarafından bildirilen 327 gün değerlerinin hepsinden uzun bulunmuştur. SHS'nın laktasyon süresine etkisi tüm ırklarda önemsiz, SÜN değerinin laktasyon süresine etkisi Simental ve Siyah ırkında önemsiz, Danimarka Kırmızısı ırkta ise önemli (P<0.05) bulunmuştur.…”