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Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 44 No. 1 125-140
© 1961 by American Dairy Science Association ®
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Production Characteristics of Jerseys and Red Sindhi-Jersey Crossbred Females1

R. E. McDowell2, J. C. Johnson3, J. L. Fletcher4 and W. R. Harvey5

U. S. Department of Agriculture,,2 University of Georgia Coastal Plain Experimental Station,,3 and Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station,,6 Jeanerette

ABSTRACT

Red Sindhis were crossed with Jerseys at three stations as an approach in developing dairy cattle adaptable to the southern United States. The production records of 180 cows in the crossbred groups of 3/4 J, 5/8 J, F1; F2, and 1/4 J were compared to their purebred Jersey stable-mates or contemporaries.

All the crossbred groups were lower in milk and fat yield, but tested slightly higher than their Jersey stable-mates. Level of milk and fat yield, length of lactation, persistency of milk yield, and feed efficiency decreased significantly as the proportion of Sindhi inheritance increased. The differences in production among the crosses at the three stations were almost directly proportional to the level of the Jersey stable-mates. Adjustment for length of lactation did not change the rank of the crossbred groups and was not the only cause of differences among breed groups.

Jerseys produced significantly more milk and fat than their maternal crossbred sisters sired by Sindhi and F1 males, but were not significantly different from their purebred Jersey stable-mates.

Differences among crossbred groups were more important than sire differences within groups. Also, little improvement in the production, relative to their Jersey stable-mates, was shown in selected second lactations as compared to first lactation. Certain other characteristics exhibited by the crosses, i.e., temperament, rate of milking, udder characteristics, and eating habits, appeared to impair their usefulness as dairy animals.

The results of this study show no advantage of the Red Sindhi-Jersey crossbreds over purebred Jerseys in dairy characteristics under conditions prevailing at three locations.

FOOTNOTES

1 This work is a part of the Cooperative Regional Project, Southern Region, RM-S3, Breeding Better Dairy Cattle for the South.

2 Dairy Cattle Research Branch, Animal Husbandry Research Division, ARS, Beltsville, Maryland.

3 Tifton, Georgia.

4 USDA, Jeanerette, Louisiana.

5 Biometrician, in charge, Livestock Research Staff, Biometrical Services, ARS, Beltsville, Maryland.

6 Iberia Livestock Experiment Station, Jeanerette, Louisiana.






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Copyright © 1961 by the American Dairy Science Association ®.