Comparative evaluation of schemes cattle crossbreeding on farms

In the conditions of farming enterprises united in a cooperative, the results of crosses of dairy and meat cattle in the areas of productivity were studied. Two crossing schemes were implemented. In the first case, heifers of the Holstein breed were inseminated with the seed of Hereford bulls, in the second case, heifers of the Hereford breed were inseminated with the seed of the Jersey breed. As part of the study, two groups of crossbreeds of the first generation were formed: the Holstein breed × Hereford breed (GL x GR) and the Hereford breed × Jersey breed (GR x J). The results of calving were evaluated, including the duration of pregnancy, the yield of calves, the ease of calving and the presence of postpartum pathologies in cows. The live weight of the bulls received was recorded at birth, as well as at the ages of 6, 12 and 14 months. The results obtained were compared both between groups and with the average values typical for the parent breeds. It was found that in the first group, the live weight of calves at birth was 28.3 kg, which is 29% lower than the average weight of calves of the Holstein breed, which is important for the ease of calving. In the second group, the weight of newborn calves was average between the paternal and maternal breeds and amounted to 23.1. Throughout the growing period, the crossbreeds between the Holstein and Hereford breeds showed a high growth rate and at the age of 14 months had a live weight of 467 kg, which is at the level of purebred Herefords. The young from the crossing of the Hereford and Jersey breeds had a significantly lower growth rate, but they were distinguished by good killing qualities.