Comparative evaluation of udder and body conformation traits of first lactation 3/4 Holstein x 1/4 Jersey versus Holstein cows

Abstract

To facilitate the process of decision-making in selecting specific breeds for crossbreeding, this study aimed to determine the conformation traits of 3/4 Holstein (HO) x 1/4 Jersey (JE) crossbreds, relative to their pure HO contemporaries during the first lactation. All measurements were objectively recorded on first-calf heifers between 40 and 100 days in milk. Crossbreds had smaller stature (-9.62 cm; P = 0.0001), narrower rump width (i 1.55 cm; P = 0.005), shallower body depth (i 6.45 cm; P = 0.04), smaller heart girth (-10.43 cm; P = 0.0001), narrower chest width (-2.18 cm; P = 0.006), and lower foot angle (i 4.61°; P = 0.02) than HO first-calf heifers. Among udder traits, HO x JE crossbreds had deeper (+3.80 cm; P = 0.006) and narrower (i 2.32 cm; P = 0.001) udders with longer front teats (+0.54 cm; P = 0.04) compared with HO. It is suggested that certain aspects of the mammary conformation of 3/4 HO x 1/4 JE crossbreds, as identified in this study, may be animal-associated risk factors of concern for cow culling, mainly in high input production systems.