An evaluation of production efficiencies among lactating Holstein-Friesian, Jersey, and Jersey × Holstein-Friesian cows at pasture

Prendiville, R.; Pierce, K.M.; Buckley, F.

doi:10.3168/jds.2009-2292

Cited by 111 publications

(192 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…There is evidence of differences between breeds in DM intake and milk production at grazing. The reputed higher intake per unit of LW of Jersey cows compared with HolsteinÁFriesian (HF) cows has been confirmed in a study comparing production efficiency of HF, Jersey and HF )Jersey cows at grazing (Prendiville et al 2009). In this study, Jersey and HF )Jersey cows had higher DM intake per kg LW and lower milk yield than HF cows.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 72%

Effects of stocking rate, supplementation, genotype and their interactions on grazing dairy systems: a review

Baudracco

López‐Villalobos

Holmes

et al. 2010

New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research

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The main effects of, and the interactions between, stocking rate (SR), supplementation and genotype on dry matter (DM) intake, herbage utilisation, milk production and profitability of grazing dairy systems have been reviewed. The SR determines the average herbage allowance (HA) per cow and therefore has a major effect on herbage intake (HI) and on the productivity of grazing dairy systems. In this review, the effect of HA on HI is presented separately for two groups of studies: those that measured allowance at ground level and those that measured allowance at a cutting height of 3Á5 cm above ground level. HI and milk yield per hectare usually increase as SR increases. However, there is generally an associated reduction in HI and milk yield per cow because of the decrease in average HA at a higher SR. The dual objectives of adequate level of feeding per cow and high herbage utilisation per hectare can be achieved through the inclusion of supplements. The milk response to supplements depends mainly on the size of the relative energy deficit between potential energy demand and actual energy supply. The relative energy deficit determines both energy partitioning within the cow and substitution rate. The relative energy deficit is increased by either a high demand for energy within the cow or by a deficit of dietary energy available to meet the demand. Cows of different genotype differ in their potential for milk yield. Cows with high genetic potential for milk yield undergo higher relative energy deficits under grazing dairy systems, resulting in lower substitution rates, higher milk responses to supplements, but also lower body condition score, which, in turn, leads to lower reproductive performance. Whole-farm experiments in many countries have demonstrated that the inclusion of supplements, with a concomitant increase in SR, can have synergistic effects in improving the productivity of grazing dairy systems. Overall, the level of supplementation required per cow and the optimum SR depend on the genetic potential of the cow, the size of the responses to supplement, the value of milk and the costs of feeding supplements.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 72%

Effects of stocking rate, supplementation, genotype and their interactions on grazing dairy systems: a review

Baudracco

López‐Villalobos

Holmes

et al. 2010

New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research

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“…The higher incidence of dairy crossbreeding in expanding herds is suggestive of a change in breeding policy by these farmers. Extensive research has been undertaken in the past 5 years in Ireland, exploring the potential for dairy cross animals in the pasture-based production system (Prendiville et al, 2009), which may have contributed to the recent use of crossbreeding in these herds.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Associations between herd size, rate of expansion and production, breeding policy and reproduction in spring-calving dairy herds

Jago

Berry

2011

Animal

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Dairy herd size is expected to increase in many European countries, given the recent policy changes within the European Union. Managing more cows may have implications for herd performance in the post-quota era. The objective of this study was to characterise spring-calving herds according to size and rate of expansion, and to determine trends in breeding policy, reproduction and production performance, which will inform industry of the likely implications of herd expansion. Performance data from milk recording herds comprising 775 795 lactations from 2555 herds for the years 2004 to 2008 inclusive were available from the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation. Herds were classified into Small (average of 37 cows), Medium (average of 54 cows) and Large (average of 87 cows) and separately into herds that were not expanding (Nil expansion), herds expanding on average by three cows per year (Slow expansion) and herds expanding on average by eight cows per year (Rapid expansion). There was no association between rate of expansion and 305-day fat and protein yield. However, 305-day milk yield decreased and milk protein and fat percentage increased with increasing rate of expansion. There were no associations between herd size and milk production except for protein and fat percentage, which increased with increasing herd size. Average parity number of the cows decreased as rate of expansion increased and tended to decrease as herd size increased. In rapidly expanding herds, cow numbers were increased by purchasing more cattle. The proportion of dairy sires relative to beef sires used in the breeding programme of expanding herds increased and there was more dairy crossbreeding, albeit at a low rate. Similarly, large herds were using more dairy sires and fewer beef sires. Expanding herds and large herds had superior reproductive performance relative to non-expanding and small herds. Animals in expanding herds calved for the first time at a younger age, had a shorter calving interval and were submitted for breeding by artificial insemination at a higher rate. The results give confidence to dairy producers likely to undergo significant expansion post-quota such that, despite managing more cows, production and reproductive performance need not decline. The management skills required to achieve these performance levels need investigation.

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“…This together with the finding that herd productivity was not compromised (+2% milk volume, +1.3% milk solids yield; fat plus protein) by crossing with Norwegian Red (Buckley and Shalloo, 2009), provides Irish dairy farmers with a viable option to improve profitability by reducing the cost associated with sub-optimal fertility/longevity. Concurrent with the study by Begley et al (2009), a research study evaluating the merits of Jersey and Jersey × Holstein-Friesian crossbreds was conducted by Prendiville et al (2009Prendiville et al ( , 2010aPrendiville et al ( , 2010bPrendiville et al ( , 2011aPrendiville et al ( and 2011b. Jersey until then was not considered a suitable cross within the context of EU milk (fat) quotas owing to the negative impact of high milk fat content.…”

Section: Crossbreeding Research In Irelandmentioning

confidence: 99%

Crossbreeding: implications for dairy cow fertility and survival

Buckley

López‐Villalobos

Heins

2014

Animal

Self Cite

102

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In pasture-based seasonal calving systems, failure to become pregnant during the breeding season results in important economic losses as maximum profit is attained by minimising costs and increasing the proportion of grass in the diet of the lactating dairy cow. In the United States, dairy producers primarily strive to maximise production potential but are becoming increasingly aware of the economic consequences of sub-optimal cow fertility and survival. For this reason, interest in crossbreeding is emerging. The objective of this paper is to review the fertility and survival outcomes reported from recent research studies and data analyses in Ireland, New Zealand and the United States. Research conducted in Ireland during the early 2000s concluded that of three 'alternative' dairy breeds the Norwegian Red was most suited to seasonal grass-based production. A key finding was favourable fertility and survival. A follow-up study confirmed a fertility advantage with Norwegian Red × Holstein-Friesian compared with Holstein-Friesian: proportion pregnant to first service; +0.08 and in-calf after 6 weeks breeding; +0.11. Another study found higher fertility with Jersey crossbreds: pregnant to first service; +0.21, and in-calf after 6 weeks breeding; +0.19. Studies conducted in Northern Ireland also found superior fertility performance with Jersey crossbred cows offered low and moderate concentrate diets. In New Zealand, crossbred dairy cattle (primarily Jersey × Friesian) are achieving similar rates of genetic gain for farm profit as the purebred populations, but creating additional gain derived from economic heterosis. In the United States, analysis of commercial data from California showed higher first-service conception rates for Scandinavian Red × Holstein (+6 percentage units) and Montbeliarde × Holstein (+10 percentage units) compared with Holstein (23%). They also exhibited fewer days open and greater survival. At Penn State University, Brown Swiss × Holstein cows had 17 fewer days open than Holstein cows during first lactation, and numerically fewer in second (12 days) and third lactation (6 days). At the University of Minnesota, crossbred cows had 21 percentage units higher first-service conception rates, 41 fewer days open and 12 percentage units higher in-calf rates compared with pure Holstein cows. They also had greater survival to second (+13 percentage units), third (+24 percentage units), fourth (+25 percentage units) and fifth (+17 percentage units) lactation. The literature clearly illustrates favourable animal performance benefits from crossbreeding, using a range of modern breeds, and within the context of both grass-based and high-input confinement production environments. Economic analyses generally indicate profitable performance owing to lower replacement cost and higher herd productivity.

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An evaluation of production efficiencies among lactating Holstein-Friesian, Jersey, and Jersey × Holstein-Friesian cows at pasture

Cited by 111 publications

References 32 publications

Effects of stocking rate, supplementation, genotype and their interactions on grazing dairy systems: a review

Effects of stocking rate, supplementation, genotype and their interactions on grazing dairy systems: a review

Associations between herd size, rate of expansion and production, breeding policy and reproduction in spring-calving dairy herds

Crossbreeding: implications for dairy cow fertility and survival

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