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Comparison of dairy cow breeds under Irish grass-based spring milk production systems. Project Team P. Dillon, F.Buckley, J. Mee, N. Byrne and M. Herlihy. Objectives. To compare the performance of different breeds of dairy cows on two pasture based systems of production
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Comparison of dairy cow breeds under Irish grass-based spring milk production systems Project Team P. Dillon, F.Buckley, J. Mee, N. Byrne and M. Herlihy
Objectives • To compare the performance of different breeds of dairy cows on two pasture based systems of production • To establish the possible role of a crossbreed dairy cow in an Irish system of milk production
Experiment Design • Breeds compared • Holstein Friesian • Montbeliarde • Normande • Montbeliard* Holstein Friesian • Normande*Holstein Friesian • Norweigan Red • Feeding Systems • 650 kg V 1250 kg/cow
Milk production 2001-2003 HF MBX NR NMX MB NM
Preg. to 1st serviceHF x Montbeliarde Hybrid Vigour 10% units or 25% 42% 50% 37%
Preg. to 1st serviceHF x Normande Hybrid Vigour 11 % units or 24% 42% 57% 50%
Summary • Holstein Friesian: • Numerically highest milk yield • Significantly higher fat+protein yield • Highest response to concentrate • Lowest Body Condition Score • Greatest body condition score loss over total lactation • Poorest reproduction
Summary • Montbeliarde: • Lower milk yield compared to HF • Reproductive performance very dissappointing • Normande: • Lowest milk yield • Excellent reproductive performance
Summary • Norwegian Red: • Numerically lower milk yield Vs HF • Lowest live weight • Good Body Condition Score • Excellent reproductive performance • Cross breeds: • Evidence of Hybrid Vigour for both milk yield and reproductive performance