Calving Ease Rating and Growth of Calves From Jersey Cows Sired By Simmental, Piedmont and Charolais Bulls
2 Karaköy Tarım İşletmesi, Samsun -TÜRKİYE - The objectives of the research were commercial crossings of Jersey cows with Simmental, Piedmont and Charolais breeds and to determine the best sire breed for dairy beef production.
For this research 20 male and 28 female crossbred calves being used.
The average scores of calving difficulties of Piedmont, Simmental and Charolais crossbred calves were 5.00, 5.58 and 7.80 respectively and differences were statistically significant (P<0.01). Charolais crossbred calves needed more than one person's assist during birth. There is no dystocia and Caesarean operation occured in groups.
The avarage birth weights of Piedmont, Simmenta1 and Charolais male and female calves were 30.55, 32.80, 36.75., and 27.38, 31.00, 33.00 kg., respectively and differences were statistically significant (P< 0.05).
Live -weights and eight body measurements (height at withers, height at hip, body lenght, depht of chest, chest girth, pelvis lenght, pelvis width and circumference of cannon bone) were taken at 30 th, 60 th and 90 th (weaning weight) days of trial.
The average weaning weights of Piedmont, Simmental and Charolais crossbred calves (including two sexes) were 85.74, 85.90 and 91.88 kg, respectively and differences were not statistically significant.
The average height at withers of Piedmont, Simmental and Charolais crossbred calves at weaning were 83.4, 84.7 and 86.4 cm. respectively, and differences were statistically significant (P< 0.05).
The other body measurement values of crossbred calves were slightly similiar and differences were not statistically significant.
According to the results of this research, Piedmont breed is more suitable for commercial crossings of Jersey cows.
Keywords : Crossbreeding, calving difficulties, growth, Jersey, Piedmont, Simmental, Charolais