The effects of crossbreeding on the milk production performance of Kurdish cows

Abstract

In this study, data of milk and fat production, lactation length (374 records) and calving interval (305 records) in 12 herds of Kurdish cow and their crosses with Brown Swiss and Holstein in Saghez and Dehgolan were collected from 1999-2001. Data was analysed using SAS. The least square mean of milk yield, fat yield, lactation length and calving interval for genetic group (Kurdish cow and their crosses with Brown Swiss and Holstein) were 1446.15±116.28, 1792.09±110.1 and l988.64±77.77 kg, 40.62±5.74, 50.93±5.46 and 53.78±3.77 kg, 238.22±12.28, 279.31±9.37 and 278.73±5.33 days and 352.88±16.8, 362.84±12.66 and 361.89±7.51 days, respectively. Genetic group, region, herd within region, season of calving with age (p<0.01), region with year of calving and genetic group with year of calving interaction (p<0.05) on milk production were significant. The fat production was significantly affected by region, herd within region, age (p<0.01), genetic group and season of calving (p<0.05). The lactation length was significantly affected by genetic group (p<0.01). The calving interval was not significantly affected by genetic and environmental effects (p>0.05). © Medwell Journals, 2011.