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Comparative performance of six holstein-friesian x guzera crossbred groups in Brazil. 4. Rate of milk flow, ease of milking and temperament

F.E. Madalena^I; R.L. Teodoro^II; J.D. Nogueira^II; D.P. Moreira^III

^IR. Teodoro Coelho, 365, 36050 Juiz de Fora, MG, Brasil. Send correspondence to F.E.M.
^IIEMBRAPA, CNP-Gado de Leite, 36055 Coronel Pacheco, MG, Brasil
^IIEMBRAPA, UEPAE, 13560 São Carlos, SP, Brasil

ABSTRACT

Total daily milking time (MT), daily milk yield (DMY) and average rate of milk flow (MF = DMY/MT) were recorded in 142 cows at 27 farms, in the southeast region of Brazil. Milkers scored 88 cows for ease of hand milking (EOM, scale 1 = very easy milker to 5 = very hard milker) and 123 cows for temperament (T, scale 1 = very docile to 5 = very temperamental). Cows were of six red and white Holstein-Friesian (HF) x Guzera (Gu) crossbred groups, with the following expected HF gene fractions: 1/4, 1/2, 5/8, 3/4, 7/8 and >31/32 or HF. HF and 7/8 showed the highest MF but had intermediate DMY. Halfbreds and 3/4 had the highest DMY and intermediate MF. It is shown that they would give higher economic return in spite of their increased milking cost. The 1/4 and 5/8 had the lowest MF and DMY. MT was lower and MF higher for cows milked by hand than for machine milked cows. The interaction of crossbred group x milking procedure was not significant (P > 0.05). Estimates were obtained of the direct breed additive difference (g, HF-Gu) and heterosis effects (h). Significant (P <0.05) estimates of g were obtained for DMY (6.51 ± 1.58 kg), MF (0.74 ± 0.23 kg/min), EOM (-1.69 ± 0.48 score units) and T (-2.96 ± 0.42 score units). Significant estimates for heterosis were obtained for MT (2.85 ± 1.16 min), DMY (5.56 ± 1.10 kg) and T (-1.07 ± 0.32 score units). Heterosis for MT became non-significant (P >0.05) when adjusted for DMY. Variation due to genetic effects other than g or h was not significant (P >0.05).

Keywords: holstein-friesian; guzera; crossbred; Brazil; milk; flow; ease; milking; temperament.

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