EVALUATION OF PRODUCTIVE AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF HOLSTEIN AND ITS F1 CROSSBRED WITH MONTBELIARDE IN EGYPT

Abstract

This study was carried out to compare the milk production and reproductive performance of pure Holstein (HO) cows with those of their first generation (F1) crossbreds with Montbeliarde bulls (MO x HO) in four commercial dairy herds under the Egyptian conditions. Data used in this study comprised 2268 records for the first four lactations of 531 HO cows and 536 MO x HO crossbred cows during the period between 2012 and 2020. Data were analyzed using the least squares method by XLSTAT software. Crossbred cows were significantly superior (P < 0.05) compared with pure HO cows for 305-day milk yield, scoring 9210±96 kg versus 7987±149 kg. Moreover, crossbred cows had significantly higher daily milk yield (30.0±0.45 kg) than pure HO cows (25.9±0.52 kg). Despite that, Pure HO cows had significantly greater days in milk (399±6 days) than MO x HO crossbred cows (341±5.2 days). With regard to reproductive performance, MO x HO crossbred cows had significantly (P < 0.05) less number of services per conception and days open than pure HO cows (2.6 ±0.16 vs. 3.7 ±0.18 services and 132±5.2 vs. 190±6 day, respectively). However, the statistical difference between MO x HO crossbred cows and pure HO cows for age at first calving was not significant (22.9±0.11 vs. 23.1 ±0.15 months). It was concluded that under Egyptian subtropical conditions, the first generation of crossbred cows exhibit better performance compared to pure HO cows in milk production and reproductive traits. These findings could provide an effective strategic option for the genetic improvement of dairy cattle in subtropical regions.