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The use of crossbreeding with beef bulls in dairy herds: effects on calving difficulty and gestation length

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 September 2012

R. Fouz ,
F. Gandoy ,
M. L. Sanjuán ,
E. Yus  and
F. J. Diéguez
R. Fouz
Affiliation:
AFRICOR Lugo, Ronda de Fingoi, 117, 27002 Lugo, Spain
F. Gandoy
Affiliation:
AFRICOR Lugo, Ronda de Fingoi, 117, 27002 Lugo, Spain
M. L. Sanjuán
Affiliation:
Institute of Food Analysis and Research (Animal Health and Epidemiology Unit), Veterinary Faculty of Lugo, Santiago de Compostela University, Campus Universitario, 27002 Lugo, Spain
E. Yus
Affiliation:
Institute of Food Analysis and Research (Animal Health and Epidemiology Unit), Veterinary Faculty of Lugo, Santiago de Compostela University, Campus Universitario, 27002 Lugo, Spain
F. J. Diéguez*
Affiliation:
Institute of Food Analysis and Research (Animal Health and Epidemiology Unit), Veterinary Faculty of Lugo, Santiago de Compostela University, Campus Universitario, 27002 Lugo, Spain Anatomy and Animal Production Department, Veterinary Faculty of Lugo, Santiago de Compostela University, Campus Universitario, 27002 Lugo, Spain
*
E-mail: franciscojavier.dieguez@usc.es
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Abstract

This study was designed to analyse the evolution in the use of beef bull semen for dairy cattle insemination and, mainly, to assess calving difficulty, gestation length and proportion of stillbirths after breeding pure Holsteins or crossbreeding. Data were collected during 2004 to 2011 for 552 571 Holstein calvings (457 070 Holstein × Holstein, 43 384 Holstein × Limousine, 32 174 Holstein × Belgian Blue and 19 943 Holstein × Galician Blonde). The highest calving difficulty, compared with pure Holsteins was for crosses with Belgian Blue followed by Limousine and Galician Blonde. The Holstein × Limousine and Holstein × Galician Blonde crossbred calves had significantly longer gestation lengths than Holstein × Holstein and Holstein × Belgian Blue calves. Between the latter two, pure Holstein had the shortest gestation length. Calving difficulty and gestation length decreased as the age of the dam advanced. The most difficult calvings were observed in twin calvings, followed by the calvings of male calves and female calves. The gestations leading to the birth of male calves were longer than those leading to female calves and twin calves. Stillbirths were not related to the breed used for mating. Through examining these parameters, sire breed should be considered when selecting a beef breed for the insemination of milk-producing dams.

Keywords

crossbreedingdairycalving difficultygestation lengthstillbirths
Type
Breeding and genetics
Information
animal , Volume 7 , Issue 2 , February 2013 , pp. 211 - 215
Copyright
Copyright © The Animal Consortium 2012

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