Cross-breeding can net 100 EUR a lactation or more

摘要

Cross-breeding, producing high-quality replacements and grass management were topics at Ballydague Research Farm open day in Ireland. Hybrid vigour from cross-breeding is worth more than 100 EUR a lactation, in addition to Economic Breeding Index (EBI), said Donagh Berry of Teagasc at a recent Bally dague open day. "Crossing an animal with an EBI of 100 EUR to another with an EBI of 200 EUR will produce a daughter with an EBI of 150 EUR. "However, the daughter will also get an extra 'kick' from hybrid vigour worth an extra 100 EUR, meaning, in this case, the offspring would have an EBI of 250 EUR." Research at Ballydague also found Jersey x Holstein Friesians were worth an extra profit of more than 180 EUR a cow a year compared to pure Holstein Friesians.