The Evaluation of second upgrades in Turkish Native Gray X Brown Swiss Cattle crossbreeding experiments

H. Saim KENDİR

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The Evaluation of second upgrades in Turkish Native Gray X Brown Swiss Cattle crossbreeding experiments

H. Saim KENDİR

- Extensive crossbreeding and upgrading programs with Brown Swiss are going on to improve milk and beef production of native breeds of cattle in Turkey. In accordance with the field work controlled crosbreeding experiments are being carried on in the State breeding farms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Brown Swiss x Native Grey second generation upgrades (7/8 BS-1/8 NG) bred on Çifteler State Farm.

Birth weight averages of live and single born calves were 22.350 kg, 20.730 kg, 34.140 kg, 32.540 kg, 32.910 kg, 31.750 kg, 33.790 kg and 32.720 kg for 71 Native Grey male, 105 Native Grey female, 138 G1 ( ¾ BS-1/4 NG) male, 118 G₁ female, 65 G₂ (7/8 BS-1/8 NG) male, 63 G₂ female, 82 Brown Swiss male and 74 Brown Swiss female calves, respectively.

The mortality rates of single born calves up to the 18 months were 14.07 %, 7.66 %, 5.45 % and 13.58 % for 263 Native Grey, 261 G₁, 165 G₂ and 162 Brown Swiss calves, respectively. The higher livability of crossbreds is thought to be the result of the non additive gene effects.

Calving rates in the first three years were 87.97 %, 82.73 %, 80.00 % and 80.82 % for Native Grey G₁, G₂ and Brown Swiss cows, respectively. No heterosis has been observed for fertility.

The milk yield (2 x 305-ME) averages in first three lactations were 1263 kg, 2490 kg, 2460 kg and 2559 kg for 41 Native Grey, 41 G₁, G₁ and 40 Brown Swiss cows, respectively. Depending on the results obtained it is concluded that there may be no additional benefit in going beyond G₂ upgrading level. However, before the final decision it will be appropriate to obtain similar data on G₂ x G₂ and G₃ animals. Keywords :