DHI Notes...
Aug 08 | Update of crossbreeding at Virginia Tech | Bennet Cassell
I just finished a Hoards column about the latest research results on crossbreeding from this summer’s ADSA meetings in Indianapolis. The effort reminded me that Virginia dairy producers might be interested in the status of our crossbreeding project here at Virginia Tech. We actually have two projects: one compares F1 HJ and JH crosses to their purebred HH and JJ half sisters, while daughters of the crossbreds by Brown Swiss or Swedish Red bulls make up the second project. Holstein-Jersey crossbreds have been milking at Virginia Tech since summer of 2005. Our crossbred string consists of 64 cows of which 55 are Holstein Jersey crosses, 7 are three breed crosses sired by Brown Swiss bulls and 2 are three breed crosses sired by Swedish Red bulls. The rolling herd average on the crossbreds stands at 21,160 m, 852 f, and 681 p. The 54 Holsteins in our herd, older by 15 months on average, have rolling herd averages of 23,131 m, 777 f, and 688 p as of the July test. Days open favors the crossbred string with 116 days open compared to 141 for our Holsteins and 129 days for the 35 Jerseys in our herd. We still have seven JH crosses and eight Jerseys to calve into the first project. A couple of those Jersey heifers need to get pregnant in a hurry, but the rest will freshen in by late winter. The next phase of the project, comparison of Brown Swiss and Swedish Red crosses, is just getting started. We calved in six Brown Swiss and one Swedish Red heifer this summer, to join one each of those mixes that calved in last year. There isn’t much to say about the three breed crosses at this point, but the Jersey-Holstein cross has milked very well in our herd. They are medium size, or smaller if she is standing by a Holstein when you look at her, and good cattle to handle. I’m pleased with fertility of the crosses, but don’t like the deep udders on some of them. Others have good type and will last a long time. My conclusion at this point is that crossbreeding isn’t magic, but it is useful, especially for herds that are paid for components or if fertility really matters in a management program. Please feel free to come and see them.
State DHI averages for important management areas in July 2008:
Management area
July 2008
Change from last year
Rolling herd average milk Peak yield in heifers Days to first breeding Days open Net Merit of proven service sires Herd turnover less dairy sales (%) Monthly average SCS Feed cost per cwt. (milking cows) Milk blend price Bennet Cassell
Genetics and Management
