Milk productivity, reproductive performance, hematological and clinical indicators of holstein, brown swiss, simmental, and jersey breeds of cows under Armenian agro-climatic conditions

The research was conducted on the farms of ‘Himnatavush’ Foundation and ‘Agroholding Armenia’ LLC in the Tavush and Lori regions of the Republic of Armenia. This study aims to fill a research gap regarding the adaptability of elite dairy breeds in the South Caucasus under variable agro-climatic conditions. The scientific and practical goal of the work is to conduct, for the first time, a comparative study of the milk productivity, reproductive capacity, and hematological and clinical indicators of Holstein, Brown Swiss (Schwyz), Simmental, and Jersey cattle breeds imported into the Republic of Armenia from various European countries in recent years, as well as cows born and raised locally (local reproduction). The study is being carried out in two farms located in different agro-climatic zones of the Republic. At the farms of ‘Agroholding Armenia’ LLC and the ‘Himnatavush’ Foundation, the age at first calving of both imported full-grown cows of Holstein, Brown Swiss, Simmental, and Jersey breeds and their locally born and raised first-calf heifers corresponded to breed-specific norms. The service period for cows of all breeds exceeded the desirable range (80–90 days), ranging from 93.8 to 115.6 days. However, the reproductive capacity coefficient ranged between 92.9–97.3, which is considered a good indicator. Hematological and clinical parameters of all cows remained within physiological norms. Jersey cows exhibited slightly better adaptation markers. The study confirms the successful acclimatization of these breeds to Armenia’s diverse agro-climatic zones and supports the continued use of these high-yielding breeds for sustainable dairy development.