Effects of Crossing some Dairy Cattle Breeds with Aberdeen Angus Breed

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the productive performances of the Aberdeen Angus x Holstein and Jersey x Aberdeen Angus females reared in intensive system. In the period 0-15 months, the highest average daily gain was recorded in the Aberdeen Angus x Holstein heifers, followed by Jersey x Aberdeen Angus. These results showed the genetic power of Aberdeen Angus to transmit this character, both on the paternal line (the most obvious effect) and on the maternal line. In the Aberdeen Angus x Holstein females, the sire influence led to a decrease in the amount of milk. In the Jersey x Aberdeen Angus cows, the milk yield was 30.3% lower, compared to the Holstein cows, and 43.3% higher, than the Holstein x Aberdeen Angus cows (p ≤ 0.01). The crossbreeding between dairy breeds and Aberdeen Angus is recommended for profitability of small farms, because F1 females provide a fairly high milk production, and F1 males can be raised for meat.

Keywords

• aberdeen angus breed
• crossing
• dairy cattle