Better fertility and health from cross breeding

摘要

Cross breeding can maintain yields and health and improve fertility traits. Cross breeding to Swedish Red has resulted in a 57 pound a cow benefit and halved lameness and mastitis cases, according to Oxfordshire dairy farmer David Christensen. Speaking at a recent DairyCo cross-breeding event hosted by the Christensen family at Kingston Hill Farm, Kingston Bagpuize, Mr Christensen said this figure was an under-estimate of true cost savings as calculations were based on first-lactation heifers only. "Ten years ago I asked why dairying was the only industry not hy-bridising. At the time, I was dissatisfied by the way Holsteins were bred and it was then that I discovered the Swedish Red." The farm was completely British Friesian until 1990 when cows were crossed to mild Dutch Holstein. This was followed by a generation of New Zealand Friesians.