The comparative performance of primiparous Holstein Friesland and Jersey cows on complete diets during summer in a temperate climate

Abstract

The production performance of primiparous Holstein Friesland and Jersey cows was compared under local conditions during summer. A complete diet providing 15% crude protein (CP), 13% crude fiber (CF) and 10.8 MJ ME/kg dry matter (DM) was fed twice daily on an ad libitum basis in fence-line feeding troughs to a group of Holstein Friesland and Jersey cows each. Group feed intakes and individual milk production of cows were recorded daily. Milk samples collected once a week were analysed for fat, protein and lactose. Holstein Friesland cows produced more (p < 0.01) milk per day than Jerseys (23.94 vs 16.74 kg/day), while also having a higher (p < 0.01) feed (17.34 vs 14.10 kg DM/day) and water intake (88.2 vs 66.1 I/day). DM intake as a percentage of body weight was 3.38% for Holstein Friesland and 4.03% for Jersey cows. The milk composition of the two breeds differed (p < 0.01) with Holstein Friesland cows producing milk with 2.97% fat and 3.38% protein. Jersey cows produced milk with 3.96% fat and 3.90% protein. The efficiency of daily milk production for Holstein Friesland and Jersey cows was 1.38 and 1.18 kg milk/kg DM consumed, espectively. Higher ambient temperatures increased (p < 0.05) the water intake of Holstein Friesland and Jersey cows by 1.56 and 1.31 I/°C respectively. The higher feed efficiency of Holstein Friesland cows to produce milk supports the general trend for this breed to be used in a fresh milk market.