Comparison of Productive and Reproductive Parameters in First-Calf Holstein Cows and Holstein X Swedish Red in Three Herds from the Bogota Savannah

Abstract

A study was performed in three herds from the Bogota Savannah, with the purpose of evaluating and comparing productive and reproductive parameters in first-calf purebred Holstein cows H (n = 21) and F1 Holstein X Swedish Red (HxSR) (n = 21). The parameters evaluated were: age at first calving (AFC), age at second calving (ASC), days open (DO), calving intervals (CI) and 100-day milk yield (MY). Descriptive statistics and a multifactorial analysis of variance test were used in order to analyze these variables, using the Statgraphics Centurion XLV.I statistical program. The average results for first-calf Holstein cows for reproductive parameters AFC, ASC, DO and CI between farms ranged between 957 and 1082 days, 1495 and 1496 days, 131 and 137 days, 13.7 months and for crossbred HxSR cows, the averages in the three farms ranged between 757 and 819 days, 1176 and 1193 days, 100 and 103 days and 12.5 and 12.8 months, respectively. When comparing the means, significant differences were found (p <0.05) between racial types for all parameters compared. During the first one hundred days, the Holstein X Swedish Red cross had an average milk production of 16 liters cow/day, compared to the 14 liters cow/day in purebred Holstein cows, and significant differences between racial types were found. In this study, it was possible to conclude that the HxSR cross would improve the productive, reproductive and profitability parameters in the three herds, compared to purebred Holstein cows.