Reproductive and productive performance, udder health, and conformation traits of purebred Holstein, F1, and R1 crossbred Holstein × Simmental cows

Feed Efficiency and Physiological Parameters of Holstein and Crossbred Holstein × Simmental Cows

This study aimed to compare the feed efficiency (FE) and physiological parameters of Holstein and crossbred Holstein × Simmental cows in a confinement system during winter and summer. The study was conducted in a dairy farm in southern Brazil by including a total of 48 multiparous cows. The cows were studied for 21 days in two periods, summer and winter, and their daily dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield (MY), rectal temperature (RT), respiratory rate (RR), body weight, and body condition score were recorded. An analysis of variance was conducted using the SAS statistical package. The results showed that crossbred Holstein × Simmental cows have a similar FE as Holstein cows in a high-production system (1.83 × 1.81 kg DMI/kg MY, respectively), and they can achieve the same production levels as purebred Holstein cows (43.8 vs. 44.5 milk/cow/day). Our findings indicated a difference for the period as both genetic groups achieved higher FE in winter than in summer (1.98 vs. 1.67 DMI/kg MY, respectively). In addition, we found evidence that crossbred cows are better at dissipating body heat during heat-stress situations, as they have higher RR in summer compared to purebred cows, while Holstein cows have higher RT in summer afternoons than crossbred cows. Therefore, using crossbred Holstein × Simmental cows is an alternative for high-production systems.

Genomic and Phenotypic Udder Evaluation for Dairy Cattle Selection: A Review

The traditional point of view regarding dairy cattle selection has been challenged by recent genomic studies indicating that livestock productivity prediction can be redefined based on the evaluation of genomic and phenotypic data. Several studies that included different genomic-derived traits only indicated that interactions among them or even with conventional phenotypic evaluation criteria require further elucidation. Unfortunately, certain genomic and phenotypic-derived traits have been shown to be secondary factors influencing dairy production. Thus, these factors, as well as evaluation criteria, need to be defined. Owing to the variety of genomic and phenotypic udder-derived traits which may affect the modern dairy cow functionality and conformation, a definition of currently important traits in the broad sense is indicated. This is essential for cattle productivity and dairy sustainability. The main objective of the present review is to elucidate the possible relationships among genomic and phenotypic udder evaluation characteristics to define the most relevant traits related to selection for function and conformation in dairy cattle. This review aims to examine the potential impact of various udder-related evaluation criteria on dairy cattle productivity and explore how to mitigate the adverse effects of compromised udder conformation and functionality. Specifically, we will consider the implications for udder health, welfare, longevity, and production-derived traits. Subsequently, we will address several concerns covering the application of genomic and phenotypic evaluation criteria with emphasis on udder-related traits in dairy cattle selection as well as its evolution from origins to the present and future prospects.

Comparison of metabolic, oxidative and inflammatory status of Simmental × Holstein crossbred with parental breeds during the peripartal and early lactation periods

The aim of the research reported in this paper was to evaluate plasma concentrations of energy, oxidative and inflammatory biomarkers of Simmental (sire) × Holstein (dam) crossbred cows, in comparison with the two parental breeds during the peripartal and early lactation periods and to estimate the effects of heterosis for these traits. Thirty-three animals, managed under the same conditions, 8 Simmental (SI), 9 Holstein (HO) and 16 crossbred (CR) cows were enrolled in this study. Glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatine kinase (CK), total protein, albumin, creatinine and urea were determined in blood sampled at six different time points (30 ± 3 and 15 ± 3 d before the expected calving date, at calving and 15, 30 and 60 d after calving). Furthermore, derived reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs), biological antioxidant potential (BAP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), haptoglobin (Hp) and serum amyloid A protein (SAA) were determined to evaluate inflammatory and oxidative status. Results showed that the CR group had significantly lower average values of glucose and NEFA when compared to HO group; signifcantly lower values of urea than SI group and significantly higher values of creatinine than HO. Furthermore, CR cows showed the lowest average value of d-ROMs with respect to SI and HO parental breeds. Finally, the average value of haptoglobin was significantly lower in CR and HO groups, when compared to SI group. As for the heterosis we found the highest (positive) percentage for CK (98%) and BAP (47%) and the lowest (negative) percentage for OSi (-75%) and d-ROMs (-39%). A negative percentage was also found for the glucose (-11%) and NEFA (-20%) toward the Simmental parental breed. Our results suggest a different response among the three genetic groups during the peripartal and early lactation periods. In particular, CR and SI cows seem more adaptable regarding energy metabolism and oxidative status. Heterosis led to a positive effect on those parameters in Simmental (sire) × Holstein (dam) crossbred cows F1 population (50% Simmental and 50% Holstein).

Energy Balance Indicators during the Transition Period and Early Lactation of Purebred Holstein and Simmental Cows and Their Crosses

Simple Summary

Dairy cows undergo a very challenging time between the weeks immediately before calving and the start of lactation after calving. In particular, high yielding dairy cows, such as purebred Holstein cows, have to cope with a severe negative energy balance. In comparison to the feed (energy) intake, they produce a great surplus of milk energy. The energy deficit is supposed to be smaller in dual-purpose breeds, such as (German) Simmental. Therefore, crossbreeding of both breeds, with the aim of using the advantageous characteristics of both breeds, and the expected advantage of crossbred cows, might reduce the negative effects of the metabolic and physiologic challenges by improving the production efficiency of dairy herds. After calving, Simmental cows and cows with greater Simmental proportions decreased less in the body condition score, had lower concentrations of ketone bodies, and nonesterified fatty acids in the blood, which are common indicators of metabolic disorders during the transition period. In particular, first generation (F1) crossbred cows produced more energy corrected milk (ECM) than purebred Holstein cows, while the other crossbred generations still showed positive heterosis effects for ECM. That means, they produced more ECM than the average of both parental breeds.

Abstract

Crossbreeding in dairy cattle has been used to improve functional traits, milk composition, and efficiency of Holstein herds. The objective of the study was to compare indicators of the metabolic energy balance, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), glucose, body condition score (BCS) back fat thickness (BFT), as well as milk yield and milk composition of Holstein and Simmental cows, and their crosses from the prepartum period until the 100th day of lactation at the Livestock Center of the Ludwig Maximilians University (Munich, Germany). In total, 164 cows formed five genetic groups according to their theoretic proportion of Holstein and Simmental genes as follows: Holstein (100% Holstein; n = 9), R1-Hol (51–99% Holstein; n = 30), first generation (F1) crossbreds (50% Holstein, 50% Simmental; n = 17), R1-Sim (1–49% Holstein; n = 81) and Simmental (100% Simmental; n = 27). The study took place between April 2018 and August 2019. BCS, BFT blood parameters, such as BHBA, glucose, and NEFA were recorded weekly. A mixed model analysis with fixed effects breed, week (relative to calving), the interaction of breed and week, parity, calving year, calving season, milking season, and the repeated measure effect of cow was used. BCS increased with the Simmental proportion. All genetic groups lost BCS and BFT after calving. Simmental cows showed lower NEFA values. BHBA and glucose did not differ among genetic groups, but they differed depending on the week relative to calving. Simmental and R1-Sim cows showed a smaller effect than the other genetic groups regarding changes in body weight, BCS, or back fat thickness after a period of a negative energy balance after calving. There was no significant difference for milk yield among genetic groups, although Simmental cows showed a lower milk yield after the third week after calving. Generally, Simmental and R1-Simmental cows seemed to deal better with a negative energy balance after calving than purebred Holstein and the other crossbred lines. Based on a positive heterosis effect of 10.06% for energy corrected milk (ECM), the F1, however, was the most efficient crossbred line.