Comparative evaluation of udder and body conformation traits of first lactation ¾ Holstein ¼ Jersey versus Holstein cows
To facilitate the process of decision-making in selecting specific breeds for crossbreeding, this study aimed to determine the conformation traits of ¾ Holstein (HO) x ¼ Jersey (JE) crossbreds, relative to their pure HO contemporaries during the first lactation. All measurements were objectively recorded on first-calf heifers between 40 and 100 days in milk. Crossbreds had smaller stature (-9.62 cm; P = 0.0001), narrower rump width (-1.55 cm; P = 0.005), shallower body depth (-6.45 cm; P = 0.04), smaller heart girth (-10.43 cm; P = 0.0001), narrower chest width (-2.18 cm; P = 0.006), and lower foot angle (-4.61°; P = 0.02) than HO first-calf heifers. Among udder traits, HO x JE crossbreds had deeper (+3.80 cm; P = 0.006) and narrower (-2.32 cm; P = 0.001) udders with longer front teats (+0.54 cm; P = 0.04) compared with HO. It is suggested that certain aspects of the mammary conformation of ¾ HO x ¼ JE crossbreds, as identified in this study, may be animal-associated risk factors of concern for cow culling, mainly in high input production systems.
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Digital revista |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile
2015
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| Online Access: | http://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0301-732X2015000100014 |
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