HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Interpretive Summary Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Maltecca, C. Articles by Weigel, K. A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Maltecca, C. Articles by Weigel, K. A.

Changes in Conception Rate, Calving Performance, and Calf Health and Survival From the Use of Crossbred Jersey x Holstein Sires as Mates for Holstein Dams

Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 53706

¹ Corresponding author: kweigel{at}wisc.edu

Differences in conception rates in matings of Holstein sires or F₁ Jersey x Holstein sires to Holstein dams in the University of Wisconsin–Madison experimental herd were evaluated, as were differences in birth weight, dystocia, serum protein, serum IgG, fecal consistency, respiratory disease, and perinatal and pre-weaning mortality among the resulting calves. When mated to randomly chosen, lactating Holstein cows, Holstein sires (n = 74) and crossbred sires (n = 7) did not differ in male fertility. Calves from Holstein sires and multiparous Holstein dams (n = 99) were 1.9 kg heavier than calves from crossbred sires and multiparous Holstein dams (n = 211), leading to greater likelihood (odds ratio of 1.24) of dystocia. Furthermore, calves from crossbred sires and multiparous Holstein dams had higher serum protein and serum IgG levels between 24 and 72 h of age, as well as lower rates of perinatal and preweaning morality than calves from Holstein sires and multiparous or primiparous Holstein dams. Mean fecal consistency scores from birth to 7 d of age and number of days with scours also tended to be lower among calves from crossbred sires, compared with calves from Holstein sires. No differences were observed in the incidence or severity of respiratory disease. Results of this study suggest that introduction of Jersey genes via crossbreeding may lead to a reduction in dystocia and improvements in calf health and survival in Holstein herds. Future studies should address other traits related to dairy farm profitability, including milk composition, female fertility, longevity, feed efficiency, and resistance to infectious and metabolic diseases.

Key Words: crossbreeding • dairy calf • health • immune function

This article has been cited by other articles:

				P. C. Hoffman, K. A. Weigel, and R. M. Wernberg Evaluation of Equations to Predict Dry Matter Intake of Dairy Heifers J Dairy Sci, September 1, 2008; 91(9): 3699 - 3709. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. J. Heins, L. B. Hansen, A. J. Seykora, D. G. Johnson, J. G. Linn, J. E. Romano, and A. R. Hazel Crossbreds of Jersey x Holstein Compared with Pure Holsteins for Production, Fertility, and Body and Udder Measurements During First Lactation J Dairy Sci, March 1, 2008; 91(3): 1270 - 1278. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. Heringstad, Y. M. Chang, D. Gianola, and O. Osteras Short Communication: Genetic Analysis of Respiratory Disease in Norwegian Red Calves J Dairy Sci, January 1, 2008; 91(1): 367 - 370. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. C. Bicalho, K. N. Galvao, S. H. Cheong, R. O. Gilbert, L. D. Warnick, and C. L. Guard Effect of Stillbirths on Dam Survival and Reproduction Performance in Holstein Dairy Cows J Dairy Sci, June 1, 2007; 90(6): 2797 - 2803. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. T. Kuhn, J. L. Hutchison, and G. R. Wiggans Characterization of Holstein Heifer Fertility in the United States J Dairy Sci, December 1, 2006; 89(12): 4907 - 4920. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]