The effect of stocking rate on the performance of two breeds of dairy cattle at pasture

2002 ◽  
Vol 2002 ◽  
pp. 43-43
Author(s):  
A.D. Crawford ◽  
C.S. Mayne
Keyword(s):  
Northern Ireland ◽  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Breeding Goals ◽  
Norwegian Dairy

In Northern Ireland, grazed grass is the main diet offered to dairy cattle throughout the summer months. Whilst the Holstein-Friesian (HF) dairy cow is extremely efficient at converting grass into milk, there is evidence that the incidence of infertility in this breed is increasing (Mayne et al. 2001). This may reflect the fact that the breeding goals for the HF breed have been based primarily on selection for milk production with little emphasis for other traits such as fertility or health. In contrast, Norwegian dairy cattle (NC) have been selected using a multi trait index, with less emphasis on milk production and inclusion of other fertility and health traits. The overall objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of varying stocking rate at pasture on performance of these two contrasting breeds.

An investigation of the efficiency of nutrient utilization for milk production by Holstein and Norwegian breeds of dairy cattle

2002 ◽  
Vol 2002 ◽  
pp. 41-41
Author(s):  
R. E. Agnew ◽  
M. G. Porter ◽  
T. Yan ◽  
C. S. Mayne ◽  
T. W. J. Keady
Keyword(s):  
Northern Ireland ◽  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Energy Requirement ◽  
Selection Procedure ◽  
Nutrient Utilization ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Breeding Programmes ◽  
Friesian Cattle ◽  
Norwegian Dairy

Holstein-Friesian cattle are the predominant breed of dairy cattle in Northern Ireland. Breeding programmes for the Holstein Friesian have focused on improved milk production with little emphasis on functional traits such as fertility or disease resistance. In contrast Norwegian dairy cattle have been bred via a multi-trait selection procedure and there is evidence that problems associated with disease and fertility have tended to decrease in recent years. It is important, however, to investigate possible differences in efficiency of food use and partitioning of nutrients between the two breeds which may offset the potential advantages of improvements in secondary characteristics. Consequently, the objectives of this experiment were firstly to investigate the effects of breed type on the efficiency of utilization and partitioning of nutrients for milk production and secondly to investigate if there are differences in the energy requirement for maintenance and the efficiency of utilization of ME for lactation (kl) between the two breeds.

The effect of two levels of nutrient intake on milk production of two dairy cow genotypes

2002 ◽  
Vol 2002 ◽  
pp. 12-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.W.J. Keady ◽  
C.S. Mayne
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Nutrient Intake ◽  
Selection Procedure ◽  
Nutrient Input ◽  
Selection Procedures ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Breeding Programmes

Breeding goals differ for different breeds of dairy cattle. For example the breeding programmes for Holstein-Friesian (HF) animals have been based primarily on improved milk production with little emphasis on functional traits such as fertility. In contrast, Norwegian (NC) dairy cattle have been bred using a multi-trait selection procedure for 25 years. These differences in selection procedures for the two breeds may have major effects on overall herd output and profitability with the forage-based systems of milk production employed in Northern Ireland. The objective of the present paper is to present the effects of two levels of nutrient input on food intake and utilisation, and animal performance of the two breeds, with diets based on grass silage during the first and second lactation.

A comparison of the performance of Holstein-Friesian and Norwegian Red dairy cattle on commercial dairy farms over five lactations

2009 ◽  
Vol 2009 ◽  
pp. 60-60
Author(s):  
C P Ferris ◽  
D C Patterson ◽  
D J Kilpatrick
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Selection Programme ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Breeding Programmes ◽  
Low Incidence

Norway has adopted a multi-trait selection programme within its Norwegian Red (NR) dairy cow population for over thirty years, in contrast to breeding programmes with the Holstein-Friesian (HF) breed, which have, until recently, focused primarily on milk production. As a result, evidence from Norway suggests a dairy cow population with high levels of fertility and a relatively low incidence of mastitis. Consequently, there is considerable international interest in the NR breed as a means of overcoming some of the fertility, health and longevity problems that currently exist within the HF breed. To examine the potential of the NR breed, an experiment was established on 19 commercial dairy farms to compare the production, fertility and longevity of animals of the NR and HF breed across a range of production systems.

An evaluation of Norwegian dairy breed and Holstein-Friesian cattle for beef production

2005 ◽  
Vol 2005 ◽  
pp. 121-121
Author(s):  
R. M. Kirkland ◽  
D. C. Patterson ◽  
T. W. J. Keady ◽  
R. W. J. Steen
Keyword(s):  
Disease Resistance ◽  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
Production Potential ◽  
Genetic Merit ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Friesian Cattle ◽  
Norwegian Dairy ◽  
Dairy Breed

In contrast to the Holstein-Friesian (HF) breed, Norwegian dairy cattle (NC) have been selected with emphasis on disease resistance and beef characteristics as well as milk production, and hence may be more suited to beef production than high genetic merit Holstein animals. The objective of this study was to evaluate the beef production potential of NC bulls, and to compare their performance with that of HF bulls.

A comparison of sole lesion development for Norwegian dairy cattle and Holstein Friesian dairy cattle on three different systems in lactation 1 and 2

2007 ◽  
Vol 2007 ◽  
pp. 99-99
Author(s):  
L.G. Baird ◽  
N.E. O’Connell ◽  
M.A. McCoy
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Dairy Herds ◽  
Lesion Development ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Norwegian Dairy

Sole lesions and lameness are significant problems for dairy cow production and welfare. Producers are increasingly incorporating non-Holstein genetics into the make-up of dairy herds for a number of reasons, particularly to promote improved fertility and health. However, much of the evidence that alternative breeds improve hoof health characteristics is anecdotal. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of Holstein Friesian (HF) and Norwegian dairy cattle (N) genotypes on lameness parameters in dairy cattle within different production systems.

Comparison of milk production, mastitis, lameness and days to conception of Brown Swiss, Holstein and Holstein cross Brown Swiss dairy cattle

2006 ◽  
Vol 2006 ◽  
pp. 86-86
Author(s):  
G Wellwood ◽  
J K Margerison
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Complex Disease ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
Brown Swiss ◽  
Somatic Cell Counts ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Holstein Friesian

Mastitis is a complex disease causing inflammation of the udder, which has been estimated to cost the dairy farmer between £40-£117/cow per year (Stott et al., 2002). Economic loss occurs as a result of discarded milk, reduced milk yield and milk quality, increased vet costs and an increase in replacement costs. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of breed on the incidence of mastitis and somatic cell counts and milk production capabilities of Holstein Friesian, Brown Swiss and Brown Swiss crossbred cows.

The effect of strain of Holstein-Friesian and feeding system on grazing behaviour, herbage intake and productivity in the first lactation

2004 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 169-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Linnane ◽  
B. Horan ◽  
J. Connolly ◽  
P. O'Connor ◽  
F. Buckley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
North American ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Feeding System ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Concentrate Supplementation ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Biting Rate ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Grazing Behaviour

AbstractA comparative study of grazing behaviour, herbage intake and milk production was conducted using three strains of Holstein-Friesian (HF) heifer : 33 high production North American (HP), 33 high durability North American (HD) and 33 New Zealand (NZ) animals. Heifers were assigned, within strain, to one of three grass-based feeding systems : (1) the Moorepark (control) system (MP), (2) a high concentrate system (HC), (3) a high stocking rate system (HS). Strain of HF had no significant effect on grazing time or number of grazing bouts. The NZ strain had longer grazing bouts (P< 0.01) and spent a lower proportion of time ruminating (P< 0.05) than both the HP and HD strains. There was a significant strain ✕ feeding system interaction for biting rate. The biting rate of the NZ strain was reduced in the HC system. Biting rates in the HS feeding system were significantly higher (P< 0.001) than in the MP system. Heifers on HC had shorter grazing time (P< 0.01) with grazing bouts of shorter duration (P< 0.01). Increasing stocking rate (HS) decreased the proportion of time ruminating (P< 0.001) and tended to shorten grazing bouts (P = 0.06). The HP strain had higher (P< 0.05) herbage and total dry matter (DM) intakes than the NZ strain, while the HD strain was intermediate. Concentrate supplementation reduced (P< 0.001) herbage DM intake but increased (P< 0.001) total DM intake. The reduction of herbage DM intake per kg of concentrate DM intake (substitution rate) was greater for the NZ than the HP strain. The HP produced significantly higher milk, fat, protein and lactose yields than the NZ, while the HD strain was intermediate. The milk fat content of the NZ was higher than both the HP and HD strains, while the protein content was higher than the HP strain. Concentrate supplementation (HC v . MP) significantly increased yields of milk and milk components. Milk production responses to the HC system were much greater with the HP than the NZ strain. Increasing stocking rate (MP v . HS) significantly decreased milk protein yield. The results indicate that the choice of strain of HF may depend on the feeding system.

scholarly journals Development of livestock in numbers and structure from the regional and administrative aspect

2012 ◽  
Vol 50 (No. 2) ◽  
pp. 47-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Střeleček ◽  
J. Lososová ◽  
J. Kvapilík
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Cultivated Land ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Direct Payments ◽  
Production Areas ◽  
The Eu

The contribution deals with the development of livestock since 1990. Since that year, beef and dairy cattle numbers have dropped by more than 50 percent in the Czech Republic. This decrease has been partly compensated by an increase in efficiency, yet milk production has dropped to 55% in this period and beef production to 60% compared with 1989. The declining amount of cultivated land in the Czech Republic has resulted in a decrease in the stocking rate and the corresponding production. It adversely influences the economy namely in highland areas. In this sense the high rate of permanent pastures with low stocking rate enables to efficiently exploit the EU direct payments and thus the direct payment system discriminates above all the farms in highland areas (potato and oat-growing areas and upland production areas).

A comparison of the fertility of Holstein Friesian and Norwegian Dairy Cattle under low and high nutrient input systems

2001 ◽  
Vol 2001 ◽  
pp. 217-217
Author(s):  
A.D. Crawford ◽  
C.S. Mayne ◽  
M.A. McCoy ◽  
D. Lennox
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Selection Procedure ◽  
Dairy Herds ◽  
Nutrient Input ◽  
Milk Output ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Nutrient Utilisation ◽  
Breeding Programmes ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Norwegian Dairy

Until relatively recently, breeding programmes for Holstein Friesian (HF) dairy cattle have focused selection procedures on increasing milk output with little emphasis on secondary traits such as fertility. As a result the fertility of the Holstein Friesian dairy animal is currently declining in the UK. This decline in fertility causes particular problems in seasonal calving dairy herds, where compact calving is crucial to overall performance of this system. In the Norwegian dairy cattle (NC) breeding programme, emphasis has been placed on a multi trait selection procedure including fertility and disease resistance. There is evidence that this selection procedure has resulted in improved fertility within the NC population. The present study is part of an overall programme comparing the performance of HF and NC cattle with respect to food intake, animal performance, nutrient utilisation, behaviour, health, fertility and longevity. The objective of the present study was to investigate possible differences in fertility between the two breeds when offered either a high or a low nutrient input diet based on grass silage.

scholarly journals Heritability of Teat Condition in Italian Holstein Friesian and Its Relationship with Milk Production and Somatic Cell Score

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 2271
Author(s):  
Francesco Tiezzi ◽  
Antonio Marco Maisano ◽  
Stefania Chessa ◽  
Mario Luini ◽  
Stefano Biffani
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Somatic Cell Score ◽  
Cattle Industry ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Current Selection

In spite of the impressive advancements observed on both management and genetic factors, udder health still represents one of most demanding objectives to be attained in the dairy cattle industry. Udder morphology and especially teat condition might represent the first physical barrier to pathogens’ access. The objectives of this study were to investigate the genetic component of teat condition and to elucidate its relationship with both milk yield and somatic cell scores in dairy cattle. Moreover, the effect of selection for both milk yield and somatic cell scores on teat condition was also investigated. A multivariate analysis was conducted on 10,776 teat score records and 30,160 production records from 2469 Italian Holstein cows. Three teat scoring traits were defined and included in the analysis. Heritability estimates for the teat score traits were moderate to low, ranging from 0.084 to 0.238. When teat score was based on a four-classes ordinal scoring, its genetic correlation with milk yields and somatic cell score were 0.862 and 0.439, respectively. The scale used to classify teat-end score has an impact on the magnitude of the estimates. Genetic correlations suggest that selection for milk yield could deteriorate teat health, unless more emphasis is given to somatic cell scores. Considering that both at national and international level, the current selection objectives are giving more emphasis to health traits, a further genetic deterioration in teat condition is not expected.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document