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J. Dairy Sci. 89:2747-2754
© American Dairy Science Association, 2006.

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

C. Maltecca, H. Khatib, V. R. Schutzkus, P. C. Hoffman and K. A. Weigel1

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

1 Corresponding author: kweigel{at}wisc.edu


   ABSTRACT
TOP
 ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
 CONCLUSIONS
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
 REFERENCES
 
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


   INTRODUCTION
TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
 CONCLUSIONS
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
 REFERENCES
 
For many years, the superiority of the Holstein breed for milk production and the historically strong role of breed associations in developing selection policies have limited the use of crossbreeding in dairy cattle. However, trends in milk pricing favoring high fat and protein content, coupled with increasing concerns about health, fertility, and calving performance (Dunklee et al., 1994a,b; Veerkamp et al., 2001; Cole et al., 2005), have led to greater interest in crossbreeding among commercial dairy producers.

Crossbreeding offers 2 potential advantages: breed complementarity and hybrid vigor. Breed complementarity refers to the introduction of favorable genes from a different breed; such genes may be absent or at low frequency in the recipient breed. For example, cross-breeding with a high component breed, such as Jerseys, could enhance the milk composition of Holsteins. Hybrid vigor refers to enhanced performance of crossbred animals, relative to the average of their parental breeds, due to heterosis. Heterosis results from increased heterozygosity, which alleviates inbreeding depression, thereby creating or maintaining genetic interactions that cause hybrid vigor (VanRaden and Sanders, 2003). Heterosis effects in crossbred animals are due to genes acting in a nonadditive manner, typically dominance or epistasis. Consequently, crossbred animals often outperform their purebred parents, especially for traits related to health and fertility, in which heterosis effects can range from 5 to 25% of the average of the parental breeds (Swan and Kinghorn, 1992). Several authors have evaluated crossbreeding in dairy cattle. Ahlborn-Breier and Hohenboken (1992) reported heterosis estimates of 6% for fat yield and 7% for protein yield in Holstein and Jersey crosses. McAllister et al. (1994) reported heterosis estimates of 20% for lifetime profitability in Holstein and Ayrshire crossbreeds, and McAllister (2002) provided a comprehensive review of crossbreeding in dairy cattle.

In a recent crossbreeding survey (Weigel and Barlass, 2003), dairy producers with crossbred cattle indicated improved survival rates among F1 Holstein x Jersey calves and backcross Holstein x (Holstein x Jersey) calves, relative to their pure Holstein contemporaries. Furthermore, a preliminary study (Maltecca and Weigel, 2004) on a commercial farm reported significantly higher serum protein and IgG levels in F1 Jersey x Holstein calves at 0 to 72 h of age relative to their Holstein contemporaries. In the same study, Holstein calves tended to have higher fecal consistency scores than F1 Jersey x Holstein calves, reflecting a greater incidence of scours (Maltecca and Weigel, 2004).

The objective of this study was to assess differences in conception rate between F1 Holstein x Jersey sires and pure Holstein sires, when mated to Holstein cows and heifers, as well as differences in birth weight, calving difficulty, serum protein and IgG levels, scours, respiratory diseases, and perinatal and preweaning mortality among the resulting calves.


   MATERIALS AND METHODS
TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
 CONCLUSIONS
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
 REFERENCES
 
Population Structure
The present study is part of a larger, ongoing project involving an experimental population of backcross (Holstein x Jersey) x Holstein cattle at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. This study has 2 broad aims: 1) to compare the phenotypic performance of the aforementioned crossbred calves, heifers, and cows with the performance of their pure Holstein contemporaries, and 2) to detect QTL affecting economically important traits in the backcross (Holstein x Jersey) x Holstein resource population.

A description of the mating design is shown in Figure 1Go. Briefly, crossbred calves are produced via backcross matings, in which lactating Holstein cows are randomly selected from the University of Wisconsin–Madison herd and randomly mated to 7 young F1 Holstein x Jersey sires from ABS Global (DeForest, WI), Alta Genetics (Watertown, WI), and Select Sires (Plain City, OH). These matings result in ³/3 Holstein:¹/3 Jersey offspring. Information regarding the identity and parentage of each of the 7 F1 Holstein x Jersey sires is provided in Table 1Go. The remaining lactating Holstein cows are randomly mated to young Holstein sires from commercial AI studs, such that these matings represent true experimental controls. In addition, nulliparous Holstein heifers are mated to proven Holstein sires, and these matings are not randomized.


Figure 1
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  		Figure 1. Mating design used to produce the crossbred and Holstein calves used in this study.

 

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  		Table 1. Crossbred bulls used in the present study
 
Data
All procedures carried out in this research project were approved by the Research Animal Resource Committee at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Data for the present study were collected from November 2003 through December 2005. Conception status of lactating cows was determined via ultrasound at 28 to 33 d after breeding, followed by confirmation via rectal palpation at approximately 60 and 100 d after breeding. Conception status for nulliparous heifers was determined via rectal palpation at roughly 40 d after breeding. Perinatal and preweaning mortality data were recorded in a binary manner at 24 h and 6 wk of age, respectively.

Calves were isolated from their dams immediately after birth and were not allowed to suckle maternal colostrum. Both Holstein and backcross calves were weighed within 15 min of birth using a calibrated scale, and were fed a single colostrum meal by nipple bottle with pooled, frozen colostrum from multiparous Holstein cows within 1 h of birth, at a rate of 7% of BW. An esophageal feeder was used when calves refused to suckle.

Calving ease scores were recorded on a 5-point ordinal scale, as described in Table 2Go. Fecal consistency scores and respiratory disease scores were measured on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of each week. The former was measured on a 4-point ordinal scale, and the latter was measured on a 5-point ordinal scale, as described in Table 2Go. Data for female calves were collected from birth through weaning, whereas data for male calves were collected from birth through 7 d of age, at which time these calves were sold from the farm. Therefore, mean fecal and respiratory scores, maximum scores, and number of days with scores >1 were evaluated from birth to 7 d of age for both male and female calves, and from birth to weaning for female calves only.


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  		Table 2. Description of the scoring systems for calving ease, fecal consistency, and respiratory disease used in the present study
 
Total serum protein level and serum IgG level were evaluated as follows. Blood samples (5 mL) were collected at 24 to 72 h of age by jugular venipuncture using evacuated tubes containing no anticoagulant. Serum was harvested from the blood via centrifugation and was frozen at –20°C until analysis. Total serum protein level was measured using a refractometer (Cat. no. 2734, Atago, Sur-Ne, Atago USA, Inc., Bellevue, WA), and serum IgG level was determined by using a radial immunodiffusion assay (Immuncheck, VMRD, Pullman, WA). The IgG-specific antiserum was incorporated into agarose gel; the sample antigen diffused into the gel containing the antibody, and a ring of precipitation was formed, proportional in size to the concentration of the antigen.

Statistical Analysis
A GLM (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC) was used to analyze traits measured on a continuous scale. These included: birth weight, mean fecal consistency score from birth to 7 d of age, mean respiratory disease score from birth to 7 d of age, mean fecal consistency score from birth to weaning, mean respiratory disease score from birth to weaning, total serum protein level, and natural logarithm of serum IgG level. As mentioned earlier, the analyses of mean fecal consistency score and mean respiratory disease score from birth to 7 d of age included both male and female calves, whereas the analyses of mean fecal consistency score and mean respiratory disease score from birth to weaning included female calves only. Calves resulting from twin births were excluded from the analysis.

The form of the GLM used to analyze the aforementioned continuous traits was as follows:


Formula

where yijklm = phenotypic observation for the trait of interest; YMi = year-month of birth; Bj = breed of sire (Holstein or crossbred); Pk = parity of dam (primiparous or multiparous); Sl = sex of calf (male or female); Wijklm = birth weight of calf, with corresponding regression coefficient ß (included in models for fecal consistency score, respiratory disease score, serum protein, and serum IgG only), and eijklm = random residual.

The following contrasts between least squares means were computed: breed of sire (Holstein vs. crossbred; for parity of dam ≥2), parity of dam (parity 1 vs. parity ≥2; for breed of sire = Holstein), and sex of calf (male vs. female).

Traits that were measured on a binary scale were analyzed using logistic regression (LOGIST procedure, SAS Institute), as were traits that were measured on an ordinal scale, as the latter were grouped into 2 categories (due to low frequencies of some ordinal scores) before statistical analysis. Traits that were analyzed as binary outcomes included: conception status [0 (non-pregnant) vs. 1 (pregnant)], perinatal survival [0 (dead) vs. 1 (alive) at 24 h of age], preweaning survival [0 (dead) vs. 1 (alive) at 6 wk of age], calving ease score [1 or 2 (no assistance) vs. 3, 4, or 5 (assistance required)], maximum fecal consistency score from birth to 7 d of age [1 (normal) vs. 2, 3, 4, or 5 (scours)], maximum respiratory disease score from birth to 7 d of age [1 (normal) vs. 2, 3, 4, or 5 (illness)], maximum fecal consistency score from birth to weaning [1 (normal) vs. 2, 3, 4, or 5 (scours)], maximum respiratory disease score from birth to weaning [1 (normal) vs. 2, 3, 4, or 5 (illness)], number of days with fecal consistency score >1 [1 (recovered quickly) vs. 2 or more (persistent scours)], number of days with respiratory disease score >1 [1 (recovered quickly) vs. 2 or more (persistent illness)]. Parameter estimates and odds ratios (OR) were calculated for each variable. An OR can be used to compare the probability of a certain event for 2 groups of animals. An OR = 1 implies that the event is equally likely in both groups; an OR >1 implies that the event is more likely in the former group, and an OR <1 implies that the event is more likely in the latter group.

The form of the logistic regression model used to analyze conception status was as follows:


Formula

where p = probability of conception for a given insemination event; YMi = year-month of insemination; Bj = breed of service sire (Holstein or crossbred); Pk = parity of mate (nulliparous or lactating); Tl = AI technician (2 levels); am = random effect of the mate (i.e., the female being inseminated); DIMijklmn = DIM of the mate, with corresponding regression coefficient ß; and eijklmn = random residual.

The form of the logistic regression model used to analyze the remaining binary traits was as follows:


Formula

where p = probability that an observed binary trait will fall into a particular class; YMi = year-month of birth; Bj = breed of sire (Holstein or crossbred); Pk = parity of dam (primiparous or multiparous); Sl = sex of calf (male or female); Wijklm = birth weight of calf, with corresponding regression coefficient ß, and eijklm = random residual.


   RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
CONCLUSIONS
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
 REFERENCES
 
Mean conception rates by breed of service sire and parity of mate, as well as corresponding OR, are shown in Table 3Go. As expected, the mean conception rate for nulliparous Holstein heifers was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of lactating Holstein cows, as indicated by the OR of 1.34. However, the mean conception rates for crossbred service sires did not differ from that of Holstein service sires when both were mated to lactating Holstein cows, as the 95% confidence interval (0.84 to 1.47) for the OR clearly included unity. This result seems to contradict the perception among dairy farmers that crossbred sires can offer improved male fertility and, as such, that these sires may be preferred as mates for cows that remain nonpregnant after several failed inseminations. However, it is important to note that the present study considered only F1 Jersey x Holstein sires, and it is impossible to determine whether the conception rates observed in this study reflect a lack of improvement in male fertility of crossbred dairy sires as a whole (relative to Holstein sires), or if they reflect specific attributes of Jerseys or Jersey x Holstein crosses.


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  		Table 3. Mean conception rate according to breed of service sire and parity of mate, as well as estimated odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the effects of breed, parity, and technician on conception rate
 
Results for perinatal mortality, defined as stillborn calves and calves that died within 24 h after birth, and preweaning mortality, defined as calves that were alive at 24 h but died before weaning, are shown in Table 4Go. Calves from Holstein sires were more susceptible to perinatal mortality (P < 0.05) than calves from cross-bred sires, as indicated by an OR of 1.42. Perinatal mortality was also significantly higher (P < 0.01) among male calves than among female calves, as indicated by an OR of 2.65. As noted by Johanson and Berger (2003), this is likely a reflection of higher rates of dystocia among male calves. Preweaning mortality differences between males and females were not compared because male calves had a shorter "opportunity period" to express this trait before they left the farm (at 1 wk of age). However, female calves from Holstein sires had a higher incidence of preweaning mortality (P < 0.05) than female calves from crossbred sires, as indicated by an OR of 1.23. Parity of dam did not significantly affect perinatal or preweaning mortality rates.


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  		Table 4. Perinatal mortality (stillborn or dead within 24 h) and preweaning mortality (alive at 24 h but dead before weaning or after 1 wk for males), according to breed of sire, parity of dam, and sex of calf, as well as estimated odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the effects of breed, parity, and sex on mortality rate
 
Mean birth weights and frequencies of calving ease scores, according to breed of sire, parity of dam, and sex of calf are presented in Table 5Go. As shown in Figure 1Go, the population structure in the study was such that all yearling heifers were mated to Holstein sires, and all lactating cows were mated to either Holstein sires or F1 Holstein x Jersey sires. Therefore, breed contrasts for birth weight and calving ease were based on multiparous cows only, and parity contrasts were based on Holstein sires only. Mean birth weight of calves from crossbred sires and multiparous dams tended to be lower (P < 0.10) than that of Holstein sires and multiparous dams, as indicated by a contrast of 1.9 kg. In addition, male calves were significantly heavier (P < 0.05) than females, and calves from Holstein sires and primiparous dams were lighter (P < 0.05) than those from multiparous dams. Johanson and Berger (2003) previously reported differences between Holstein calves from primiparous and multiparous dams of 3.3 kg (41.7 and 38.2 kg, respectively).


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  		Table 5. Mean birth weight and percentage of observations with each calving ease score, according to breed of sire, parity of dam, and sex of calf, as well as corresponding contrasts for the effects of breed, parity, and sex on birth weight and estimated odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the effects of breed, parity, and sex on calving with assistance (score of 3,4 or 5) vs. calving without assistance (score of 1 or 2).
 
In the present study, calves from multiparous dams that were mated to Holstein sires tended to be more likely (P < 0.10) to require calving assistance than those mated to crossbred sires, as indicated by an OR of 1.24. As expected (e.g., Johanson and Berger, 2003), calves from Holstein sires and multiparous dams were less likely (P < 0.05) to require assistance than calves from primiparous dams, and female calves tended to require assistance less frequently (P < 0.10) than male calves. Lopez-Villalobos et al. (2000) reported a heterosis effect for birth weight in F1 Holstein x Jersey crosses of 7.7 kg in New Zealand cattle. Dystocia causes trauma for both the dam and calf, and this can lead to reduced milk production, compromised calf survival, and increased management costs due to surveillance of parturient cows (Johanson and Berger, 2003). Calving ease is a significant problem in the Holstein breed. Meyer et al. (2001) reported that 23% of primiparous Holstein cows require some level of birthing assistance. A recent study by Heins et al. (2003b) reported that crossbred Jersey x Holstein heifers and cows had significantly lower dystocia scores at calving than their purebred Holstein contemporaries. A related study by Heins et al. (2003a) reported that Jersey-sired calves were born with significantly less dystocia than Holstein-sired calves. McClintock et al. (2004) also noted that Jersey x Holstein crosses had a reduced incidence of dystocia than pure Holsteins, as did farmers who responded to a recent survey by Weigel and Barlass (2003).

Least squares means for total serum protein and serum IgG (expressed as the logarithm of total IgG concentration) are presented in Table 6Go, according to breed of sire, sex of calf, and parity of dam. Calves from cross-bred sires and multiparous dams had significantly higher total serum protein (P < 0.01) and serum IgG levels (P < 0.05), compared with calves from Holstein sires. No differences were observed between male and female calves, or between calves from primiparous and multiparous dams. Passive immunization in newborn calves occurs through the absorption of immunoglobulins from colostrum shortly after birth (Bush and Staley, 1980), and low serum Ig concentrations are directly related to long-term calf performance (Wittum and Perino, 1995). Blood IgG (Quigley et al., 1995) or serum protein (Midwest Plan Service, 2003) concentrations have been used as predictors of subsequent attainment of passive immunity in newborn calves. Jones et al. (2004) reported that Jersey calves had higher serum concentrations of IgG at 24 h of age than Holstein calves (16.47 ± 0.71 and 11.12 ± 0.60 g/L, respectively), despite lower levels of IgG in the colostrum, because of differences in the volume of colostrum fed (250 g fed to Holsteins vs. 182 g to Jerseys). These authors also reported differences in Ig absorption between the 2 breeds, with 21.9 ± 0.9% absorption efficiency for Jersey calves and 17.0 ± 0.7% absorption efficiency for Holstein calves. Similar results were reported (Jones et al., 2004) for total serum protein, with serum protein content being higher in Jersey calves than in Holstein calves. Thus, it appears from the present study and the previous work of Jones et al. (2004) that passive transfer of immunity may be more efficient in Jersey calves or cross-bred Jersey x Holstein calves than in pure Holstein calves.


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  		Table 6. Least squares means for total serum protein and log (serum IgG), according to breed of sire, parity of dam, and sex of calf, as well as corresponding contrasts for the effects of breed, parity, and sex on serum protein and IgG levels
 
Least squares means for fecal consistency scores from birth to 7 d of age, as well as from birth to weaning, are presented in Table 7Go, according to breed of sire and parity of dam. Fecal scores measured from birth to 7 d of age can be viewed as secondary indicators of passive immune transfer, whereas fecal scores taken from birth to weaning can be viewed as dual indicators of passive transfer and calf vigor. Calves from Holstein sires tended (P < 0.10) to have higher mean fecal consistency scores from birth to 7 d of age than did calves from crossbred sires, as indicated by the contrast in least squares means. Furthermore, calves from Holstein sires that had scours tended (P < 0.10) to have greater duration of the illness, as indicated by an OR of 1.47 for mean number of days with scores >1.


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  		Table 7. Least squares means for fecal consistency score during the first week of life (males and females) and from birth to weaning (females only), as well as number of calves with maximum score >1 and mean number of days with score >1, according to breed of sire and parity of dam
 
Least squares means for respiratory disease scores from birth to 7 d of age and from birth to weaning are presented in Table 8Go. No significant differences were found between calves from crossbred sires and Holstein sires, nor did scores tend to differ between Holstein-sired calves from primiparous dams and multiparous dams. Overall, respiratory disease scores exhibited relatively little variation in this study, indicating a low incidence of disease in this population.


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  		Table 8. Least squares means for respiratory disease score during the first week of life (males and females) and from birth to weaning (females only), as well as number of calves with maximum score >1 and mean number of days with score >1, according to breed of sire and parity of dam
 

   CONCLUSIONS
TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
 CONCLUSIONS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
 REFERENCES
 
This study evaluated differences in conception rate between Holstein sires and F1 Jersey x Holstein sires, mated to pure Holstein dams, as well as differences in calving difficulty, birth weight, perinatal mortality, preweaning mortality, scours, respiratory disease, and serum protein and IgG levels among the resulting calves. No differences were observed in male fertility between crossbred and Holstein sires in the present study, although future studies involving additional breeds are needed before definitive statements can be made regarding breed differences and heterosis for this trait. As expected, calves from crossbred sires were smaller and had fewer birthing difficulties. More importantly, calves from crossbred sires exhibited lower perinatal and preweaning mortality rates, higher serum protein and IgG concentrations, and reduced incidence and severity of scours, suggesting improved passive transfer of immunity and greater vigor.

Many factors must be considered before implementing a dairy crossbreeding program, including potential gains or losses in milk yield, milk composition, feed costs, female fertility, longevity, and salvage value. Furthermore, challenges associated with increased variation in growth, mature size, and performance must be considered. However, results of the present study suggest that crossbreeding may lead to a reduction in dystocia and improvements in calf health and survival. Future studies should attempt to quantify breed effects and heterosis for these traits, as well as other traits that contribute to lifetime profitability, because precise knowledge of such parameters is needed to develop efficient, effective dairy crossbreeding systems.


   ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
 CONCLUSIONS
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
REFERENCES
 
This project was supported by National Research Initiative Grant no. 2004-14210 from the USDA Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service. Additional funds were provided by the American Jersey Cattle Association (Reynoldsburg, OH). Data collection assistance provided by farm staff at the University of Wisconsin–Madison was greatly appreciated.

Received for publication July 19, 2005. Accepted for publication February 1, 2006.


   REFERENCES
TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
 CONCLUSIONS
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
 REFERENCES
 


Ahlborn-Breier, G., and W. D. Hohenboken. 1991. Additive and non-additive genetic effects on milk production in dairy cattle: Evidence for major heterosis. J. Dairy Sci. 74:592–602.[Abstract]

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Dunklee, J. S., A. E. Freeman, and D. H. Kelley. 1994a. Comparison of Holsteins selected for high and average milk production. 1. Net income and production response to selection for milk. J. Dairy Sci. 77:1890–1896.[Abstract]

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Heins, B. J., A. J. Seykora, L. B. Hansen, J. G. Linn, D. G. Johnson, and W. P. Hansen. 2003b. Effect of mating Holstein females to Holstein versus Jersey AI sires on fertility, dystocia, calf weight, and retained placenta. J. Dairy Sci. 86(Suppl. 1):130. (Abstr.)

Johanson, J. M., and P. J. Berger. 2003. Birth weight as a predictor of calving ease and perinatal mortality in Holstein cattle. J. Dairy Sci. 86:3745–3755.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

Jones, C. M., R. E. James, J. D. Quigley, III, and M. L. McGilliard. 2004. Influence of pooled colostrum or colostrum replacement on IgG and evaluation of animal plasma in milk replacer. J. Dairy Sci. 87:1806–1814.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

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