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Anthony J Seykora - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • production fertility survival and body measurements of montbeliarde sired Crossbreds compared with pure holsteins during their first 5 lactations
    Journal of Dairy Science, 2014
    Co-Authors: A R Hazel, Anthony J Seykora, Bradley J Heins, Leslie B Hansen
    Abstract:

    Two-breed Crossbreds of Montbeliarde and Holstein (MO × HO) as well as 3-breed Crossbreds of Montbeliarde and Jersey/Holstein (MO × JH) were compared with pure Holstein (HO) cows for production, somatic cell score (SCS), fertility, survival to subsequent calving, mortality, and body measurements during their first 5 lactations. Cows calved for the first time between 2005 and 2010 and were housed in either a confinement herd or a herd that had access to pasture for 165d of the year in the north central region of the United States. Body, hoof, and udder measurements of cows were also objectively measured. The MO × HO crossbred cows were not different from pure HO cows for fat-plus-protein production during any lactation. However, the MO × JH crossbred cows had 5% lower fat-plus-protein production compared with pure HO cows in the confinement herd. On the other hand, the MO × JH crossbred cows were not different for fat-plus-protein production in the third to fifth lactation compared with pure HO cows in the seasonal pasture herd. Across the 2 herds, the MO × HO and MO × JH crossbred cows had 21% higher first-service conception rate, 41 fewer days open, and 12% higher pregnancy rate compared with the pure HO cows. Furthermore, the MO × HO (5%) and MO × JH (12%) crossbred cows had lower mortality rates than the pure HO cows (18%). Because of superior fertility and lower mortality rates, the MO × HO and MO × JH crossbred cows, combined, had greater survival to second (+13%), third (+24%), fourth (+25%), and fifth (+17%) lactation compared with pure HO cows. For body measurements, MO × HO were similar to pure HO cows for hip height and heart girth, but MO × HO cows had more body condition and greater body weight (+39kg) across the first 5 lactations. The MO × JH cows had more body condition but 5cm shorter hip height and 28kg less body weight than pure HO cows across the first 5 lactations. Foot angle was steeper and hoof length was shorter for MO × HO cows, but MO × JH cows were similar to pure HO cows for hoof measurements.

  • Fertility and survival of pure Holsteins versus Crossbreds of Holstein with Normande, Montbeliarde, and Scandinavian Red.
    Journal of Dairy Science, 2006
    Co-Authors: Bradley J Heins, Leslie B Hansen, Anthony J Seykora
    Abstract:

    First-calf pure Holsteins and Normande/Holstein, Montbeliarde/Holstein, and Scandinavian Red/Holstein Crossbreds were compared for days to first breeding, first-service conception rate, days open, and survival. First-calf heifers were in 7 commercial dairies in California and calved from June 2002 to October 2004. Holsteins were required to have a recorded sire with a National Association of American Breeders code to assure they were sired by artificially inseminated bulls. Normande-, Montbeliarde-, and Scandinavian Red-sired Crossbreds were all daughters of artificially inseminated bulls via imported semen. For days open, first-calf heifers were required to be at least 250 d in milk and those with greater than 250 d open were truncated to 250 d. Least squares means for days to first breeding were 69 d for Holsteins, 62 d for Normande/Holstein, 65 d for Montbeliarde/Holstein, and 66 d for Scandinavian Red/Holstein Crossbreds, and differed significantly from pure Holsteins for Normande/Holstein and Montbeliarde/Holstein Crossbreds. First-service conception rates were 22% for Holsteins, 35% for Normande/Holstein, 31% for Montbeliarde/Holstein, and 30% for Scandinavian Red/Holstein Crossbreds and, again, differences from Holstein were significant for the Normande/Holstein and Montbeliarde/Holstein Crossbreds. Least squares means for days open were 150 +/- 4.1 d for pure Holsteins, 123 +/- 3.8 d for Normande/Holstein, 131 +/- 4.4 d for Montbeliarde/Holstein, and 129 +/- 4.6 d for Scandinavian Red/Holstein Crossbreds, and all 3 cross-bred groups had significantly fewer days open than pure Holsteins. Three measures of survival were to 30, 150, and 305 d postpartum, and all crossbred groups survived significantly longer than pure Holsteins during first lactation for all 3 measures of survival. Least squares means for survival to 30 d postpartum were significantly different for pure Holsteins (95%) vs. all crossbred groups (98%), were significantly different for survival to 150 d postpartum for pure Holsteins (91%) vs. all crossbred groups (96%), and were significantly different for survival to 305 d postpartum for pure Holsteins (86%) vs. all crossbred groups (92 or 93%).

  • Calving Difficulty and Stillbirths of Pure Holsteins versus Crossbreds of Holstein with Normande, Montbeliarde, and Scandinavian Red
    Journal of Dairy Science, 2006
    Co-Authors: Bradley J Heins, Leslie B Hansen, Anthony J Seykora
    Abstract:

    Pure Holstein cows and Normande/Holstein, Montbeliarde/Holstein, and Scandinavian Red/Holstein crossbred cows were compared for calving difficulty and stillbirth rates. Scandinavian Red was a combination of Norwegian Red and Swedish Red. All cows calved from June 2001 to August 2004 at 7 commercial dairies. Statistical models for analysis included effects of herd-year-season of calving and sex of calf in addition to breed of sire and breed group of dam. Male calves had significantly more calving difficulty and stillbirths than heifer calves. First-calf Holsteins bred to Holstein, Brown Swiss, Montbeliarde, and Scandinavian Red bulls were used to determine effects of breed of sire. Calves sired by Scandinavian Red bulls (5.5%) and Brown Swiss bulls (12.5%) had significantly less calving difficulty than calves sired by Holstein bulls (16.4%) from Holstein first-calf heifers. Also, fewer stillbirths resulted from use of Scandinavian Red bulls (7.7%) compared with use of Holstein bulls (15.1%) for first-calf Holstein heifers. Scandinavian Red-sired calves (2.1%) had significantly less calving difficulty than Holstein-sired calves (8.4%) for multiparous Holstein dams. Non-Holstein breeds of sire had significantly fewer stillbirths than Holstein sires when mated to multiparous Holstein dams. To determine the effects of breed of dam, 676 pure Holsteins, 262 Normande/Holstein, 370 Montbeliarde/Holstein, and 264 Scandinavian Red/Holstein crossbred virgin heifers that had been bred to Brown Swiss, Montbeliarde, and Scandinavian Red bulls were utilized. All groups of crossbred cows had significantly less calving difficulty at first calving than pure Holsteins (3.7 to 11.6% vs. 17.7%). Furthermore, Montbeliarde/Holstein (6.2%) and Scandinavian Red/Holstein (5.1%) Crossbreds had significantly lower stillbirth rates at first calving than pure Holsteins (14.0%).

  • Production of pure Holsteins versus Crossbreds of Holstein with Normande, Montbeliarde, and Scandinavian Red.
    Journal of Dairy Science, 2006
    Co-Authors: Bradley J Heins, Leslie B Hansen, Anthony J Seykora
    Abstract:

    Pure Holsteins (n = 380) were compared to Normande/Holstein Crossbreds (n = 245), Montbeliarde/Holstein Crossbreds (n = 494), and Scandinavian Red/Holstein Crossbreds (n = 328) for 305-d milk, fat, and protein production during first lactation. Scandinavian Red was a mixture of Swedish Red and Norwegian Red. Cows were housed at 7 commercial dairies in California and calved from June 2002 to January 2005. All Holstein sires and all Holstein maternal grandsires were required to have a code assigned by the National Association of Animal Breeders to assure they were sired by artificial insemination bulls. Daughters of Normande, Montbeliarde, and Scandinavian Red sires were artificial insemination bulls via imported semen. Best prediction was used to calculate actual production (milk, fat, and protein) for 305-d lactations. Adjustment was made for age at calving and milking frequency, and records less than 305 d were projected to 305 d. Herd-year-season (4-mo seasons) and the genetic level of each cow's Holstein maternal grandsire were included in the model for statistical analysis. Pure Holsteins had significantly higher milk (9,757 kg) and protein (305 kg) production than all crossbred groups, but pure Holsteins (346 kg) were not significantly different from Scandinavian Red/Holstein (340 kg) Crossbreds for fat production. Fat plus protein production was used to gauge the overall productivity of pure Holsteins vs. Crossbreds. The Scandinavian Red/Holstein (637 kg) Crossbreds were not significantly different from the pure Holstein (651 kg) for fat plus protein production; however, the Normande/Holstein (596 kg) and the Montbeliarde/Holstein Crossbreds (627 kg) had significantly lower fat plus protein production than pure Holsteins.

Bradley J Heins - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • impact of grazing dairy steers on winter rye secale cereale versus winter wheat triticum aestivum and effects on meat quality fatty acid and amino acid profiles and consumer acceptability of organic beef
    PLOS ONE, 2017
    Co-Authors: Hannah Phillips, Bradley J Heins, Kathleen Delate, Robert Turnbull
    Abstract:

    Meat from Holstein and crossbred organic dairy steers finished on winter rye and winter wheat pastures was evaluated and compared for meat quality, fatty acid and amino acid profiles, and consumer acceptability. Two adjacent 4-ha plots were established with winter rye or winter wheat cover crops in September 2015 at the University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center (Morris, MN). During spring of 2015, 30 steers were assigned to one of three replicate breed groups at birth. Breed groups were comprised of: Holstein (HOL; n = 10), Crossbreds comprised of Montbeliarde, Viking Red, and HOL (MVH; n = 10), and Crossbreds comprised of Normande, Jersey, and Viking Red (NJV; n = 10). Dairy steers were maintained in their respective replicate breed group from three days of age until harvest. After weaning, steers were fed an organic total mixed ration of organic corn silage, alfalfa silage, corn, soybean meal, and minerals until spring 2016. Breed groups were randomly assigned to winter rye or winter wheat and rotationally grazed from spring until early summer of 2016. For statistical analysis, independent variables were fixed effects of breed, forage, and the interaction of breed and forage, with replicated group as a random effect. Specific contrast statements were used to compare HOL versus crossbred steers. Fat from Crossbreds had 13% greater omega-3 fatty acids than HOL steers. Furthermore, the omega-6/3 ratio was 14% lower in fat from Crossbreds than HOL steers. For consumer acceptability, steaks from steers grazed on winter wheat had greater overall liking than steers grazed on winter rye. Steak from crossbreeds had greater overall liking than HOL steers. The results suggest improvement in fatty acids and sensory attributes of beef from crossbred dairy steers compared to HOL steers, as well as those finished on winter wheat compared to winter rye.

  • production fertility survival and body measurements of montbeliarde sired Crossbreds compared with pure holsteins during their first 5 lactations
    Journal of Dairy Science, 2014
    Co-Authors: A R Hazel, Anthony J Seykora, Bradley J Heins, Leslie B Hansen
    Abstract:

    Two-breed Crossbreds of Montbeliarde and Holstein (MO × HO) as well as 3-breed Crossbreds of Montbeliarde and Jersey/Holstein (MO × JH) were compared with pure Holstein (HO) cows for production, somatic cell score (SCS), fertility, survival to subsequent calving, mortality, and body measurements during their first 5 lactations. Cows calved for the first time between 2005 and 2010 and were housed in either a confinement herd or a herd that had access to pasture for 165d of the year in the north central region of the United States. Body, hoof, and udder measurements of cows were also objectively measured. The MO × HO crossbred cows were not different from pure HO cows for fat-plus-protein production during any lactation. However, the MO × JH crossbred cows had 5% lower fat-plus-protein production compared with pure HO cows in the confinement herd. On the other hand, the MO × JH crossbred cows were not different for fat-plus-protein production in the third to fifth lactation compared with pure HO cows in the seasonal pasture herd. Across the 2 herds, the MO × HO and MO × JH crossbred cows had 21% higher first-service conception rate, 41 fewer days open, and 12% higher pregnancy rate compared with the pure HO cows. Furthermore, the MO × HO (5%) and MO × JH (12%) crossbred cows had lower mortality rates than the pure HO cows (18%). Because of superior fertility and lower mortality rates, the MO × HO and MO × JH crossbred cows, combined, had greater survival to second (+13%), third (+24%), fourth (+25%), and fifth (+17%) lactation compared with pure HO cows. For body measurements, MO × HO were similar to pure HO cows for hip height and heart girth, but MO × HO cows had more body condition and greater body weight (+39kg) across the first 5 lactations. The MO × JH cows had more body condition but 5cm shorter hip height and 28kg less body weight than pure HO cows across the first 5 lactations. Foot angle was steeper and hoof length was shorter for MO × HO cows, but MO × JH cows were similar to pure HO cows for hoof measurements.

  • Fertility and survival of pure Holsteins versus Crossbreds of Holstein with Normande, Montbeliarde, and Scandinavian Red.
    Journal of Dairy Science, 2006
    Co-Authors: Bradley J Heins, Leslie B Hansen, Anthony J Seykora
    Abstract:

    First-calf pure Holsteins and Normande/Holstein, Montbeliarde/Holstein, and Scandinavian Red/Holstein Crossbreds were compared for days to first breeding, first-service conception rate, days open, and survival. First-calf heifers were in 7 commercial dairies in California and calved from June 2002 to October 2004. Holsteins were required to have a recorded sire with a National Association of American Breeders code to assure they were sired by artificially inseminated bulls. Normande-, Montbeliarde-, and Scandinavian Red-sired Crossbreds were all daughters of artificially inseminated bulls via imported semen. For days open, first-calf heifers were required to be at least 250 d in milk and those with greater than 250 d open were truncated to 250 d. Least squares means for days to first breeding were 69 d for Holsteins, 62 d for Normande/Holstein, 65 d for Montbeliarde/Holstein, and 66 d for Scandinavian Red/Holstein Crossbreds, and differed significantly from pure Holsteins for Normande/Holstein and Montbeliarde/Holstein Crossbreds. First-service conception rates were 22% for Holsteins, 35% for Normande/Holstein, 31% for Montbeliarde/Holstein, and 30% for Scandinavian Red/Holstein Crossbreds and, again, differences from Holstein were significant for the Normande/Holstein and Montbeliarde/Holstein Crossbreds. Least squares means for days open were 150 +/- 4.1 d for pure Holsteins, 123 +/- 3.8 d for Normande/Holstein, 131 +/- 4.4 d for Montbeliarde/Holstein, and 129 +/- 4.6 d for Scandinavian Red/Holstein Crossbreds, and all 3 cross-bred groups had significantly fewer days open than pure Holsteins. Three measures of survival were to 30, 150, and 305 d postpartum, and all crossbred groups survived significantly longer than pure Holsteins during first lactation for all 3 measures of survival. Least squares means for survival to 30 d postpartum were significantly different for pure Holsteins (95%) vs. all crossbred groups (98%), were significantly different for survival to 150 d postpartum for pure Holsteins (91%) vs. all crossbred groups (96%), and were significantly different for survival to 305 d postpartum for pure Holsteins (86%) vs. all crossbred groups (92 or 93%).

  • Calving Difficulty and Stillbirths of Pure Holsteins versus Crossbreds of Holstein with Normande, Montbeliarde, and Scandinavian Red
    Journal of Dairy Science, 2006
    Co-Authors: Bradley J Heins, Leslie B Hansen, Anthony J Seykora
    Abstract:

    Pure Holstein cows and Normande/Holstein, Montbeliarde/Holstein, and Scandinavian Red/Holstein crossbred cows were compared for calving difficulty and stillbirth rates. Scandinavian Red was a combination of Norwegian Red and Swedish Red. All cows calved from June 2001 to August 2004 at 7 commercial dairies. Statistical models for analysis included effects of herd-year-season of calving and sex of calf in addition to breed of sire and breed group of dam. Male calves had significantly more calving difficulty and stillbirths than heifer calves. First-calf Holsteins bred to Holstein, Brown Swiss, Montbeliarde, and Scandinavian Red bulls were used to determine effects of breed of sire. Calves sired by Scandinavian Red bulls (5.5%) and Brown Swiss bulls (12.5%) had significantly less calving difficulty than calves sired by Holstein bulls (16.4%) from Holstein first-calf heifers. Also, fewer stillbirths resulted from use of Scandinavian Red bulls (7.7%) compared with use of Holstein bulls (15.1%) for first-calf Holstein heifers. Scandinavian Red-sired calves (2.1%) had significantly less calving difficulty than Holstein-sired calves (8.4%) for multiparous Holstein dams. Non-Holstein breeds of sire had significantly fewer stillbirths than Holstein sires when mated to multiparous Holstein dams. To determine the effects of breed of dam, 676 pure Holsteins, 262 Normande/Holstein, 370 Montbeliarde/Holstein, and 264 Scandinavian Red/Holstein crossbred virgin heifers that had been bred to Brown Swiss, Montbeliarde, and Scandinavian Red bulls were utilized. All groups of crossbred cows had significantly less calving difficulty at first calving than pure Holsteins (3.7 to 11.6% vs. 17.7%). Furthermore, Montbeliarde/Holstein (6.2%) and Scandinavian Red/Holstein (5.1%) Crossbreds had significantly lower stillbirth rates at first calving than pure Holsteins (14.0%).

  • Production of pure Holsteins versus Crossbreds of Holstein with Normande, Montbeliarde, and Scandinavian Red.
    Journal of Dairy Science, 2006
    Co-Authors: Bradley J Heins, Leslie B Hansen, Anthony J Seykora
    Abstract:

    Pure Holsteins (n = 380) were compared to Normande/Holstein Crossbreds (n = 245), Montbeliarde/Holstein Crossbreds (n = 494), and Scandinavian Red/Holstein Crossbreds (n = 328) for 305-d milk, fat, and protein production during first lactation. Scandinavian Red was a mixture of Swedish Red and Norwegian Red. Cows were housed at 7 commercial dairies in California and calved from June 2002 to January 2005. All Holstein sires and all Holstein maternal grandsires were required to have a code assigned by the National Association of Animal Breeders to assure they were sired by artificial insemination bulls. Daughters of Normande, Montbeliarde, and Scandinavian Red sires were artificial insemination bulls via imported semen. Best prediction was used to calculate actual production (milk, fat, and protein) for 305-d lactations. Adjustment was made for age at calving and milking frequency, and records less than 305 d were projected to 305 d. Herd-year-season (4-mo seasons) and the genetic level of each cow's Holstein maternal grandsire were included in the model for statistical analysis. Pure Holsteins had significantly higher milk (9,757 kg) and protein (305 kg) production than all crossbred groups, but pure Holsteins (346 kg) were not significantly different from Scandinavian Red/Holstein (340 kg) Crossbreds for fat production. Fat plus protein production was used to gauge the overall productivity of pure Holsteins vs. Crossbreds. The Scandinavian Red/Holstein (637 kg) Crossbreds were not significantly different from the pure Holstein (651 kg) for fat plus protein production; however, the Normande/Holstein (596 kg) and the Montbeliarde/Holstein Crossbreds (627 kg) had significantly lower fat plus protein production than pure Holsteins.

Leslie B Hansen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • production fertility survival and body measurements of montbeliarde sired Crossbreds compared with pure holsteins during their first 5 lactations
    Journal of Dairy Science, 2014
    Co-Authors: A R Hazel, Anthony J Seykora, Bradley J Heins, Leslie B Hansen
    Abstract:

    Two-breed Crossbreds of Montbeliarde and Holstein (MO × HO) as well as 3-breed Crossbreds of Montbeliarde and Jersey/Holstein (MO × JH) were compared with pure Holstein (HO) cows for production, somatic cell score (SCS), fertility, survival to subsequent calving, mortality, and body measurements during their first 5 lactations. Cows calved for the first time between 2005 and 2010 and were housed in either a confinement herd or a herd that had access to pasture for 165d of the year in the north central region of the United States. Body, hoof, and udder measurements of cows were also objectively measured. The MO × HO crossbred cows were not different from pure HO cows for fat-plus-protein production during any lactation. However, the MO × JH crossbred cows had 5% lower fat-plus-protein production compared with pure HO cows in the confinement herd. On the other hand, the MO × JH crossbred cows were not different for fat-plus-protein production in the third to fifth lactation compared with pure HO cows in the seasonal pasture herd. Across the 2 herds, the MO × HO and MO × JH crossbred cows had 21% higher first-service conception rate, 41 fewer days open, and 12% higher pregnancy rate compared with the pure HO cows. Furthermore, the MO × HO (5%) and MO × JH (12%) crossbred cows had lower mortality rates than the pure HO cows (18%). Because of superior fertility and lower mortality rates, the MO × HO and MO × JH crossbred cows, combined, had greater survival to second (+13%), third (+24%), fourth (+25%), and fifth (+17%) lactation compared with pure HO cows. For body measurements, MO × HO were similar to pure HO cows for hip height and heart girth, but MO × HO cows had more body condition and greater body weight (+39kg) across the first 5 lactations. The MO × JH cows had more body condition but 5cm shorter hip height and 28kg less body weight than pure HO cows across the first 5 lactations. Foot angle was steeper and hoof length was shorter for MO × HO cows, but MO × JH cows were similar to pure HO cows for hoof measurements.

  • Fertility and survival of pure Holsteins versus Crossbreds of Holstein with Normande, Montbeliarde, and Scandinavian Red.
    Journal of Dairy Science, 2006
    Co-Authors: Bradley J Heins, Leslie B Hansen, Anthony J Seykora
    Abstract:

    First-calf pure Holsteins and Normande/Holstein, Montbeliarde/Holstein, and Scandinavian Red/Holstein Crossbreds were compared for days to first breeding, first-service conception rate, days open, and survival. First-calf heifers were in 7 commercial dairies in California and calved from June 2002 to October 2004. Holsteins were required to have a recorded sire with a National Association of American Breeders code to assure they were sired by artificially inseminated bulls. Normande-, Montbeliarde-, and Scandinavian Red-sired Crossbreds were all daughters of artificially inseminated bulls via imported semen. For days open, first-calf heifers were required to be at least 250 d in milk and those with greater than 250 d open were truncated to 250 d. Least squares means for days to first breeding were 69 d for Holsteins, 62 d for Normande/Holstein, 65 d for Montbeliarde/Holstein, and 66 d for Scandinavian Red/Holstein Crossbreds, and differed significantly from pure Holsteins for Normande/Holstein and Montbeliarde/Holstein Crossbreds. First-service conception rates were 22% for Holsteins, 35% for Normande/Holstein, 31% for Montbeliarde/Holstein, and 30% for Scandinavian Red/Holstein Crossbreds and, again, differences from Holstein were significant for the Normande/Holstein and Montbeliarde/Holstein Crossbreds. Least squares means for days open were 150 +/- 4.1 d for pure Holsteins, 123 +/- 3.8 d for Normande/Holstein, 131 +/- 4.4 d for Montbeliarde/Holstein, and 129 +/- 4.6 d for Scandinavian Red/Holstein Crossbreds, and all 3 cross-bred groups had significantly fewer days open than pure Holsteins. Three measures of survival were to 30, 150, and 305 d postpartum, and all crossbred groups survived significantly longer than pure Holsteins during first lactation for all 3 measures of survival. Least squares means for survival to 30 d postpartum were significantly different for pure Holsteins (95%) vs. all crossbred groups (98%), were significantly different for survival to 150 d postpartum for pure Holsteins (91%) vs. all crossbred groups (96%), and were significantly different for survival to 305 d postpartum for pure Holsteins (86%) vs. all crossbred groups (92 or 93%).

  • Calving Difficulty and Stillbirths of Pure Holsteins versus Crossbreds of Holstein with Normande, Montbeliarde, and Scandinavian Red
    Journal of Dairy Science, 2006
    Co-Authors: Bradley J Heins, Leslie B Hansen, Anthony J Seykora
    Abstract:

    Pure Holstein cows and Normande/Holstein, Montbeliarde/Holstein, and Scandinavian Red/Holstein crossbred cows were compared for calving difficulty and stillbirth rates. Scandinavian Red was a combination of Norwegian Red and Swedish Red. All cows calved from June 2001 to August 2004 at 7 commercial dairies. Statistical models for analysis included effects of herd-year-season of calving and sex of calf in addition to breed of sire and breed group of dam. Male calves had significantly more calving difficulty and stillbirths than heifer calves. First-calf Holsteins bred to Holstein, Brown Swiss, Montbeliarde, and Scandinavian Red bulls were used to determine effects of breed of sire. Calves sired by Scandinavian Red bulls (5.5%) and Brown Swiss bulls (12.5%) had significantly less calving difficulty than calves sired by Holstein bulls (16.4%) from Holstein first-calf heifers. Also, fewer stillbirths resulted from use of Scandinavian Red bulls (7.7%) compared with use of Holstein bulls (15.1%) for first-calf Holstein heifers. Scandinavian Red-sired calves (2.1%) had significantly less calving difficulty than Holstein-sired calves (8.4%) for multiparous Holstein dams. Non-Holstein breeds of sire had significantly fewer stillbirths than Holstein sires when mated to multiparous Holstein dams. To determine the effects of breed of dam, 676 pure Holsteins, 262 Normande/Holstein, 370 Montbeliarde/Holstein, and 264 Scandinavian Red/Holstein crossbred virgin heifers that had been bred to Brown Swiss, Montbeliarde, and Scandinavian Red bulls were utilized. All groups of crossbred cows had significantly less calving difficulty at first calving than pure Holsteins (3.7 to 11.6% vs. 17.7%). Furthermore, Montbeliarde/Holstein (6.2%) and Scandinavian Red/Holstein (5.1%) Crossbreds had significantly lower stillbirth rates at first calving than pure Holsteins (14.0%).

  • Production of pure Holsteins versus Crossbreds of Holstein with Normande, Montbeliarde, and Scandinavian Red.
    Journal of Dairy Science, 2006
    Co-Authors: Bradley J Heins, Leslie B Hansen, Anthony J Seykora
    Abstract:

    Pure Holsteins (n = 380) were compared to Normande/Holstein Crossbreds (n = 245), Montbeliarde/Holstein Crossbreds (n = 494), and Scandinavian Red/Holstein Crossbreds (n = 328) for 305-d milk, fat, and protein production during first lactation. Scandinavian Red was a mixture of Swedish Red and Norwegian Red. Cows were housed at 7 commercial dairies in California and calved from June 2002 to January 2005. All Holstein sires and all Holstein maternal grandsires were required to have a code assigned by the National Association of Animal Breeders to assure they were sired by artificial insemination bulls. Daughters of Normande, Montbeliarde, and Scandinavian Red sires were artificial insemination bulls via imported semen. Best prediction was used to calculate actual production (milk, fat, and protein) for 305-d lactations. Adjustment was made for age at calving and milking frequency, and records less than 305 d were projected to 305 d. Herd-year-season (4-mo seasons) and the genetic level of each cow's Holstein maternal grandsire were included in the model for statistical analysis. Pure Holsteins had significantly higher milk (9,757 kg) and protein (305 kg) production than all crossbred groups, but pure Holsteins (346 kg) were not significantly different from Scandinavian Red/Holstein (340 kg) Crossbreds for fat production. Fat plus protein production was used to gauge the overall productivity of pure Holsteins vs. Crossbreds. The Scandinavian Red/Holstein (637 kg) Crossbreds were not significantly different from the pure Holstein (651 kg) for fat plus protein production; however, the Normande/Holstein (596 kg) and the Montbeliarde/Holstein Crossbreds (627 kg) had significantly lower fat plus protein production than pure Holsteins.

J O Reagan - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • an evaluation of tenderness of the longissimus muscle of angus by hereford versus brahman crossbred heifers
    Journal of Animal Science, 1991
    Co-Authors: S D Shackelford, M F Miller, J D Crouse, J O Reagan
    Abstract:

    Postmortem aging of carcasses obtained from Angus-Hereford (n = 8) and 5/8 Brahman crossbred (n = 8) heifers was investigated to determine the cause of variation in meat tenderness. Raw longissimus muscle (LM) myofibril fragmentation index was lower and cooked LM Warner-Bratzler shear force was greater for the 5/8 Brahman Crossbreds (P .OS) by breed; however, CDP inhibitor activity was higher (P .OS). The increased toughness in the 5/8 Brahman carcasses may be due to increased CDP inhibitor activity.

  • an evaluation of tenderness of the longissimus muscle of angus by hereford versus brahman crossbred heifers
    Journal of Animal Science, 1991
    Co-Authors: S D Shackelford, M F Miller, J D Crouse, J O Reagan
    Abstract:

    Postmortem aging of carcasses obtained from Angus-Hereford (n = 8) and 5/8 Brahman crossbred (n = 8) heifers was investigated to determine the cause of variation in meat tenderness. Raw longissimus muscle (LM) myofibril fragmentation index was lower and cooked LM Warner-Bratzler shear force was greater for the 5/8 Brahman Crossbreds (P less than .05). The activities of calcium-dependent protease (CDP) -I and -II were not affected (P greater than .05) by breed; however, CDP inhibitor activity was higher (P less than .05) in the 5/8 Brahman carcasses. The activities of cathepsins B and B + L were not affected by breed or postmortem storage time (0, 1, 3, 7 or 14 d). Hereford-Angus carcasses were fatter opposite the 12th rib and had higher USDA yield grades and marbling scores (P less than .05). Hereford-Angus Crossbreds had less dark, coarse band formation around the exterior of the LM and lighter, finer-textured lean (P less than .05). Cooking loss (%) and cooking rate (g/min) were not affected by breed or postmortem aging (P greater than .05). The increased toughness in the 5/8 Brahman carcasses may be due to increased CDP inhibitor activity.

Giovanni Bittante - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Macro- and micromineral composition of milk from purebred Holsteins and four generations of three-breed rotational crossbred cows from Viking Red, Montbéliarde and Holstein sires
    'Informa UK Limited', 2021
    Co-Authors: Sudeb Saha, Giovanni Bittante, Martina Piazza, Luigi Gallo
    Abstract:

    This study compared the detailed mineral profiles of milk from purebred Holstein (HO) and four generations (F1 to F4) of crossbred cows (CR) derived from a 3-breed rotational crossbreeding system involving Viking Red (VR) and Montbéliarde (MO) sires. Purebred and CR were kept and fed together in the same herd. Individual milk samples were collected once per cow from 120 multiparous cows (40 HO and 20 for each generation of CR from F1 to F4). The milk samples were analysed for macrominerals (Na, Mg, P, S, K, Ca), essential (Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mo), and environmental microminerals (Li, B, Ba) using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. The coefficients of variation ranged from 11 to 28% for macrominerals and from 17 to 40% for microminerals. The mineral composition of milk from purebred HO and CR were mostly comparable. Conversely, it differed in different breed combinations of CR: VR-sired cows had the greatest macromineral contents, MO-sired cows the lowest, while HO-sired CR was intermediate. The milk from MO-sired Crossbreds had lower contents of some microminerals (Mo, Zn, and Ba), while the milk from HO-sired Crossbreds had greater contents (Fe and Mo). We conclude that the mineral profile of milk of CR derived from different combinations of VR, MO and HO breeds was comparable to that of milk from HO cows kept in the same herd, and that the variations in the macro- and micromineral profiles were greater among CR than between purebreds and Crossbreds.Highlights The mineral composition affects the nutritional and technological properties of milk, and it is influenced by breed effect. Macro- and micromineral compositions of milk from Holstein and crossbred cows from a 3-breed rotational crossbreeding system were mostly comparable. Crossbred cows of different generations showed great variations in the macro- and micromineral profiles

  • milk protein composition in purebred holsteins and in first second generation crossbred cows from swedish red montbeliarde and brown swiss bulls
    Animal, 2018
    Co-Authors: Alice Maurmayr, Francesca Malchiodi, Giovanni Bittante, Sara Pegolo, A Cecchinato
    Abstract:

    The aim of this study was to analyze milk protein composition in purebred and crossbred dairy cattle and estimate the effects of individual sources of variation on the investigated traits. Milk samples were collected from 505 cows from three commercial farms located in Northern Italy, some of which had originated from crossbreeding programs, although most were purebred Holsteins (HO). The basic crossbreeding scheme was a three-breed rotational system using Swedish Red (SR) semen on HO cows (SR×HO), Montbeliarde (MO) semen on SR×HO cows (MO×(SR×HO)) and HO semen again on MO×(SR×HO) cows. A smaller number of purebred HO from each of the herds were mated inverting the breed order (MO×HO and SR×(MO×HO)) or using Brown Swiss (BS) bulls (BS×HO) then MO bulls (MO×(BS×HO)). Milk samples were analyzed by reverse-phase HPLC to obtain protein fraction amounts (g/l) and proportions (% of total true protein). Traits were analyzed using a linear model, which included the fixed effects of herd-test-day (HTD), parity, days in milk and breed combination. Results showed that milk protein fractions were influenced by HTD, stage of lactation, parity and breed combination. The increase in protein concentration during lactation was due in particular to β-casein (β-CN), α S1-CN and β-lactoglobulin (β-LG). The higher protein content of primiparous milk was mainly due to higher concentrations of all casein fractions. The milk from crossbred cows had higher contents and proportions of κ-CN and α-lactalbumin (α-LA), lower proportions of β-LG and greater proportion of caseins/smaller in whey proteins on milk true protein than purebred HO. The three-way Crossbreds differed from two-way Crossbreds only in having greater proportions of α-LA in their milk. Of the three-way Crossbreds, the SR sired cows yielded milk with a smaller content and proportion of β-LG than the MO sired cows, and, consequently, a higher proportion of caseins than whey proteins. Results from this study support the feasibility of using crossbreeding programs to alter milk protein profiles with the aim of improving milk quality and cheese-making properties.

  • fertility traits of purebred holsteins and 2 and 3 breed crossbred heifers and cows obtained from swedish red montbeliarde and brown swiss sires
    Journal of Dairy Science, 2014
    Co-Authors: Francesca Malchiodi, A Cecchinato, Giovanni Bittante
    Abstract:

    The objective of this study was to compare fertility traits of heifers and primiparous cows from Swedish Red × Holstein (SR × HO; n = 634 and 581, respectively), Montbeliarde × Holstein (MO × HO; n = 126 and 114, respectively), Brown Swiss × Holstein (BS × HO; n = 59 and 50, respectively), and MO × (SR × HO) (n = 241 and 139, respectively) Crossbreds, versus those of Holstein heifers and cows (HO; n = 3,483 and 2,549, respectively). Animals were born between 2007 and 2011, and belonged to 4 herds located in northern Italy. Heifers were compared for age at first service (AFS), age at first conception (AFC), interval between first service and conception (IFC), nonreturn rate at 56 d after first service (NR56), conception rate at first service (CR), and number of inseminations required for conception (INS). The same traits were evaluated in primiparous cows, except that AFS and AFC were replaced with days at first service (DFS) and days open (DO). The AFS, AFC, IFC, DFS, and DO traits were continuous variables and were thus analyzed under a proportional hazards Cox model that properly accounted for censoring among cows that were culled or failed to conceive. The NR56, CR, and INS traits were analyzed as binary traits using logistic regression. Our results indicated that, among heifers, SR × HO Crossbreds had a better chance of having an earlier first service and conceiving earlier than HO, with hazard ratios (HR) of 1.31 for AFS and 1.34 for AFC. Similarly, MO × (SR × HO) Crossbreds differed from HO heifers in this regard (HR = 1.18 and 1.24, respectively). For the primiparous cows, all Crossbreds showed significant differences for DFS, DO, and IFC relative to purebred HO, with the exception of the BS × HO Crossbreds. The MO × HO, SR × HO, and MO × (SR × HO) crossbred cows showed increased chances of having fewer DFS (HR = 1.40, 1.30, and 1.27, respectively), fewer DO (HR = 1.59, 1.43, and 1.58, respectively), and fewer IFC (HR = 1.52, 1.26, and 1.39, respectively) than HO cows. All crossbred genotypes, including BS × HO cows, showed higher probabilities for higher NR56, higher CR, and lower INS than purebred HO cows. Together, these findings indicate that the studied crossbred cows have higher reproductive potential than Holsteins.