Growth and Production Characteristics of Holstein-Friesian, Brown Swiss, and Red Sindhi Crossbred Females in Louisiana and Maryland

Abstract

Red Sindhis were crossed with Holstein-Friesians (H) at two stations and with Brown Swiss (BS) at a third station for the purposes of studying growth and productive adaptability of dairy cattle in the southern region of the United States. The growth and productive performances of 33 F1 and 21 34 H animals have been compared with their purebred H contemporaries or herd-mates. Productive performances of 30 F1 and 25 34 BS have been compared with their BS herd-mates. The F1 and 34 H animals were significantly smaller (P = <0.01) at birth, and 3, 6, 12, and 18 mo. of age, and at 90 days postpartum than their H contemporaries. Growth rates of these two crossbred groups were not significantly different from each other. All of the crossbred groups were significantly (P = <0.01) lower in average milk and fat yield during the first lactation than their H or BS herd-mates or contemporaries, with the exception of the fat yield difference between the ¾ BS and their BS herd-mates, which was not significant. Differences between the F1s and their European contemporaries were greater (P = <0.05) during the summer than in the winter season at the two Southern stations. These results did not indicate superior productive adaptability of the crossbreds to a hot, humid climate. © 1961, American Dairy Science Association. All rights reserved.