Browsing by Author "Goni, Sindisile"

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    Production and reproduction performance of Jersey and Fleckvieh × Jersey cows in a pasture-based system
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2014-04) Goni, Sindisile; Dzama, Kennedy; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of AgriSciences. Dept. of Animal Sciences.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Genetic selection for high milk production, type and appearance for the last 50 years has suppressed secondary traits such as reproductive performance, productive life, health and survivability in the pure milk breeds. The economic importance of these secondary traits in dairy production systems is the basis for the interest seen in crossbreeding. The problem of growth rate of heifers, cow fertility, reduced disease resistance and small body frame for beef production in Jerseys can be improved by crossing Jerseys with dual purpose breeds, such as Fleckviehs which possess a more beef potential. Against this background, this study aimed at comparing the production and reproduction of Jersey and Fleckvieh × Jersey cows in a pasture-based system. Milk recording was done according to standard milk recording procedures. Milk production (milk, fat, and protein yield) was adjusted to 305 days of lactation and corrected for age at calving. Effects of breed, parity, month and year were estimated for milk, fat and protein yield as well as fat and protein percentage using general linear models procedure. The fixed effects identified as having significant effects on milk, fat and protein yield were breed, parity and year. F×J cows produced significantly more milk than J cows (6141 ± 102 vs. 5398 ± 95 kg milk). Protein and fat yield were significantly higher in F×J (201 ± 3 and 272 ± 4 kg, respectively) than in J cows (194 ± 2 and 246 ± 3 kg, respectively). There percentages of fat and protein differed slightly between the two breeds with the Jersey recording slightly higher percentages (4.61 ± 0.04 and 3.62 ± 0.03 %, respectively) compared to the F×J cows’ percentages, which were, respectively, 4.47 ± 0.04 and 3.51 ± 0.03 %. It was concluded that F×J crossbred cows were more productive than purebred J cows probably owing to heterotic effects. Heifers were inseminated at 13 months of age and cows 40 days post-calving. Using insemination records and pregnancy check results, fertility traits were analyzed and compared between the two breeds, using analysis of variance for continuous records. Conception age was the same for both breeds resulting in a similar age at first calving. For cows, the interval from calving to first insemination was significantly shorter (P <0.001) in crossbred cows being 76.7 ± 2.2 days compared to 82.4 ± 2.5 days for purebreds. A larger proportion (P < 0.001) of 0.70 for crossbred cows was inseminated within 80 days after calving compared to 0.54 for J cows. Although the absolute number of days between calving and conception (DO) was lower for F×J cows in comparison to J cows (104.8 ± 6.8 vs. 114.8 ± 8.1days, respectively), the difference was not significant. However, the proportion of F×J cows confirmed pregnant by 100 days in milk was 0.79, which was higher (P < 0.001) than the 0.66 for J cows. Results indicate the potential of improving reproductive performance of J cows through crossing with dual-purpose breeds. The beef production of purebred J and Fleckvieh x Jersey (F×J) bull calves was compared, where bull calves were reared similarly for veal, i.e. carcass weight not exceeding 100 kg, or as steers for beef to 21 months of age. In both the veal and steer production systems, the mean birth weight were higher (P < 0.001) for crossbred in comparison to J calves and steers (33.5 ± 1.2 kg vs. 27.9 ± 1.2 kg for veal) and (33.4 ± 0.9 kg vs. 26.9 ± 0.9 kg for steers) respectively. The live weight at 6 months of age was 163.5 ± 3.9 kg for J bull calves, which was lower (P < 0.001) than that for F×J bull calves (180.6 ± 4.0 kg). The F×J bull calves had a significantly higher average daily gain (ADG) of 0.82 ± 0.02 kg/day compared to 0.73 ± 0.02 kg/day for J bulls. Marketing age differed (P < 0.001) in the veal production system with F×J and J bull calves marketed at 7.1 ± 0.1 and 6.3 ± 0.1 months, respectively. End live weight at 21 months of age was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in F×J bulls (441.4 ± 14.9 kg) than the 322.6 ± 13.4 kg in J bulls; while ADG differed (P < 0.001) between the two breeds being 0.64 ± 0.02 and 0.46 ± 0.0 kg/day in F×J and J bull calves, respectively. Crossbred steers had a significantly higher carcass of 206.5 ± 8.9 kg compared to 157.9 ± 8.6 kg for J steers. Results indicate the potential of improving beef production characteristics of the J cattle through crossbreeding.