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Factors affecting performance of Holstein and Jersey by Sahiwal crossbred dairy cattle in Pakistan^*

Muhammad Zaman Chaudhry^I; Charles Julian Wilcox^II; Nancy Altha Simerl^III

^ILivestock Production Research Institute, Bahadwinagar, Okara, Pakistan
^IIDairy Science Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA. Send correspondence to C.J.W.
^IIINorwich-Eaton Pharmaceuticals, Norwich, NY 13815

ABSTRACT

Performance of 138 crossbred dairy cows at the Livestock Production Research Institute, Pakistan was evaluated. Animals were offpring of crosses of Sahiwal females with Holstein or Jersey males. Total milk yield of Sahiwal dams mated to Holstein sires was 229 kg higher (17%) than yield of dams mated to Jersey sires. Adjustment of daughter performance for yield and length of record of dam did not alter differences in performance appreciably between the two breed groups although the adjustments were statistically significant. Adjusted for performance of dams and other environmental factors, lactation milk production was higher for Holstein crossbreds than for Jerseys (total yields, 2864 and 2539 kg; 305 day yields, 2710 and 2395 kg), based on 233 Holstein and 96 Jersey lactations. Means for other responses for the two groups were birth weight, 24.6 and 19.6 kg; age at puberty, 410 and 390 days; weight at puberty, 256 and 217 kg; weight at 15 months, 282 and 250 kg; age at first parturition, 755 and 781 days; weight at first parturition, 374 and 345 kg. All breed estimates differed. Effects of month of parturition were detected for total and 305 day milk yield, with a range of about 850 kg. Month of birth effects were detected for ages at puberty and first parturition, and for weight at 15 months, but not for other responses. Except for estimates of zero for age and weight at puberty and weight at 15 months, values within breed of heritabilities were similar, or slightly lower than those found in temperate dairy areas. Research continues to evaluate performance of subsequent crosses.

Keywords: Holstein; Jersey; Sahiwal Crossbred; dairy cattle; Pakistan.

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* Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Series Number R-02918