Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-1972

Abstract

Body weights of four groups consisting of 355 crosses among the Brown Swiss, Holstein, Jersey, and Red Sindhi breeds were compared to those of 127 contemporary Holsteins at six ages: birth, 6, 12, 15, and 18 months and in first lactation. Least-squares analyses were used to estimate effects of breed groups, year of birth, proportion of Red Sindhi heredity, and breed by year interactions. Year of birth had a significant (P < .01) influence on body weight, but this was not consistent with respect to breed groups. Purebred Holsteins were larger (P < ,01) than crossbreds at all ages. Among the crossbred groups, Holstein-sired crosses averaged 3% below Holsteins in body weight at the different ages whereas Brown Swiss-sired crosses and two groups of daughters by crossbred sires (one group by Zebu × European crossbred bulls, another by European × European crossbred bulls) ranged from 4 to 17% below Holsteins. Crosses by purebred sires were larger than those by crossbred sires, with the differences in body weight significant (P < .05 or P < .01) at all ages except 6 months. The magnitude of differences was greater after 12 months of age and was probably influenced by a larger proportion of Jersey and Red Sindhi heredity among daughters of crossbred sires. Significant negative linear responses (P < .05 or P < .01) due to proportion of Red Sindhi heredity (1/4 to 1/8, 1/8 to 1/16, 1/16 to 0 and 0) were noted for birth weight, 6 and 18 months and first lactation. The effect of Red Sindhi heredity on body weight appeared to be of an additive genetic nature since body weights increased as the proportion of Red Sindhi breeding decreased. © 1972, American Dairy Science Association. All rights reserved.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Journal of Dairy Science

First Page

113

Last Page

122

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