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<blockquote data-quote="cbcr" data-source="post: 1329444" data-attributes="member: 16303"><p>I don't know why you think that crossbred dairy animals are a dead end. Producers are using the ProCross system which is a continual 3-way cross of Holstein, Montbeliarde and Viking Red. Some are substituting Fleckvieh in place of the Montbeliarde. Others are breeding to to purebred animals of these breeds as well. We have one member that has just a few Holstein cows left in the herd and everything else is at least 50% up to purebred with a few fullbloods (from ET).</p><p></p><p>There are many thing that are inherited in all animals and some traits have a higher heritable % than others. Key fact, dairymen are seeing with crosses increased fertility, higher components, lower somatic cell counts, healthier animals and longer productive life.</p><p></p><p>US research has indicated that Montbeliarde and Scandinavian Red crossbred cows in particular are more profitable than Holsteins!</p><p></p><p>The high milk production potential and high efficiency for milk production of the Holstein cow has led to the dominance of the Holstein breed in many parts of the world. However, selection programs that resulted in these high levels of milk production largely ignored functional traits. The subsequent decline in fertility, health and longevity within the Holstein population has now been thoroughly documented. As a result, the additional benefits gained with the Holstein breed, through increased milk production efficiency, have been lost through poorer cow health and longevity.</p><p></p><p>One producer commented that looking back to a year when an equal number of female Holsteins to Crossbreds was born (49 Crossbreds to 50 Holsteins), that today, only 1 of those Holsteins compared to 9 Crossbreds are still producing in the herd. This is pretty typical, the crossbred animals have fewer health problems. Producers with crossbred animals get to the point they have surplus animals to sell because they are not having to replace as many cows that are leaving the herd.</p><p></p><p>Environment does have an impact on an animal, but you have to have an animal that can be able to perform in those environments. With all things being equal, why is it that the crossbred animals are able to hold up better in these environments and management than the traditional breeds? Genetics?</p><p></p><p>Arguments can be made both ways, but those that are crossbreeding are continuing with their crossbreeding and liking the results. On the last several dairy genetic evaluations, looking at the elite cow list which is the top 5% of all cows, registered or grade, the top animals of every breed are crossbred animals. This includes what is called our traditional dairy breeds of Holstein, Jersey, Brown Swiss, Ayrshire, Guernsey and Milking Shorthorn. Some of these breeds, the majority of animals on the list are crossbred in that breed.</p><p></p><p>Crossbreeding or our breeds may not be for everyone, but those that have tried it are happy with the results and doing more crossbreeding.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="cbcr, post: 1329444, member: 16303"] I don't know why you think that crossbred dairy animals are a dead end. Producers are using the ProCross system which is a continual 3-way cross of Holstein, Montbeliarde and Viking Red. Some are substituting Fleckvieh in place of the Montbeliarde. Others are breeding to to purebred animals of these breeds as well. We have one member that has just a few Holstein cows left in the herd and everything else is at least 50% up to purebred with a few fullbloods (from ET). There are many thing that are inherited in all animals and some traits have a higher heritable % than others. Key fact, dairymen are seeing with crosses increased fertility, higher components, lower somatic cell counts, healthier animals and longer productive life. US research has indicated that Montbeliarde and Scandinavian Red crossbred cows in particular are more profitable than Holsteins! The high milk production potential and high efficiency for milk production of the Holstein cow has led to the dominance of the Holstein breed in many parts of the world. However, selection programs that resulted in these high levels of milk production largely ignored functional traits. The subsequent decline in fertility, health and longevity within the Holstein population has now been thoroughly documented. As a result, the additional benefits gained with the Holstein breed, through increased milk production efficiency, have been lost through poorer cow health and longevity. One producer commented that looking back to a year when an equal number of female Holsteins to Crossbreds was born (49 Crossbreds to 50 Holsteins), that today, only 1 of those Holsteins compared to 9 Crossbreds are still producing in the herd. This is pretty typical, the crossbred animals have fewer health problems. Producers with crossbred animals get to the point they have surplus animals to sell because they are not having to replace as many cows that are leaving the herd. Environment does have an impact on an animal, but you have to have an animal that can be able to perform in those environments. With all things being equal, why is it that the crossbred animals are able to hold up better in these environments and management than the traditional breeds? Genetics? Arguments can be made both ways, but those that are crossbreeding are continuing with their crossbreeding and liking the results. On the last several dairy genetic evaluations, looking at the elite cow list which is the top 5% of all cows, registered or grade, the top animals of every breed are crossbred animals. This includes what is called our traditional dairy breeds of Holstein, Jersey, Brown Swiss, Ayrshire, Guernsey and Milking Shorthorn. Some of these breeds, the majority of animals on the list are crossbred in that breed. Crossbreeding or our breeds may not be for everyone, but those that have tried it are happy with the results and doing more crossbreeding. [/QUOTE]
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