Reproductive Efficiency of Jerseys, Red Sindhis, and Crossbreds

Abstract

Ten measures related to breeding efficiency were used for comparisons among pure Jerseys and Red Sindhis and crossbreds with 3/4, Vz, or 1/4 European dairy inheritance (Brown Swiss, Holstein, or Jersey) at two locations. Jerseys and crossbreds were common to both herds with Sindhis only at Jeanerette. Means for age at puberty (first estrus after 12 mo) were 425 + 4.2, 434 + 6.9, 459 + 6.9, 504 + 14

Strategies for attaining early puberty in cattle and buffalo: A review

“…In the tropical condition the age at puberty in Bos indicus range between 16 and 40 months (Mc Dowell et al, 1976). The Indian buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) attain puberty between 16 to 40 month but the average time is over 2.5 years of age (CIRB Annual Report, 1999-2000.…”

Evaluating crossbred dairy cattle for reproduction and production traits and their genetic potential in Thailand

“…The percentage of general heterosis was -26.5%. McDowell et al (1976a) found the percentage of heterosis of days dry for European-Sindhi crosses was -6.6% for 1/4 European, -4.8% for 1/2 European and -14.8% for 3/4 European. Parmar and Dev (1978) reported the percentage of heterosis for days dry between Holstein x Sahiwal in India was -33.5%.…”

“…Improved fertility may be favorably related to im proved milk production because virgin heifers that milk most in first lactations conceive easier, but stress of increased milk production may depress the genetic potential for improved fertility. McDowell et al (1976a) found that Jerseys averaged 10-25 days longer calving intervals than crosses with Red Sindhi in the Southern Cooperative Agricultural Experimental Station, USA; however, under good feeding and management, Zebu crosses with European cattle did not show any significant advantage for dairy production as indicated by Braton et al (1966). Buvanendran and Mahadevan (1975), in Sri Lanka, studied Jersey and Red Sindhi cattle, and found that for halfbred Jerseys, calving intervals were 368 days, for 5/8 Jerseys 373 days, and for 6/8 Jersey 434 days, compared to Red Sindhi at 457 days.…”

“…Age at first calving for halfbred Holstein-Sahiwal in the northern part of India was 31.5 months and 32.5 months in the southern part (Rao and Taneda, 1982b). Age at first calving for halfbred Jersey-Sindhi was 27.5 months in the USA (McDowell et al, 1976a).…”

“…Age at.calving in second and third parities (Tables 16 and 17 , 1976aHollon et al, 1967). The average for the India breed groups was shorter by 6-7 months than Sahiwal (40.15 months) and Sindhi (41.7 months) in India, as reported by Bhat (1974).…”