Comparative performance and economic appraisal of Holstein-Friesian, Jersey and Jersey×Holstein-Friesian cows under seasonal pasture-based management

Abstract

The objective of this study was to provide comparative performance data for HolsteinFriesian (HF), Jersey (J) and Jersey×Holstein-Friesian (F 1 ) cows under a seasonal pasture-based management system and to simulate the effect of cow breed on farm profitability. Data for a total of 329 lactations, from 162 (65 HF, 48 J and 49 F 1 ) cows, were available. Milk yield was highest for HF, intermediate for F 1 and lowest for J, while milk fat and protein concentrations were highest for J, intermediate for F 1 and lowest for HF. Yield of fat plus protein was highest for F 1 , intermediate for HF and lowest for J. Mean bodyweight was 523, 387 and 466 kg for HF, J and F 1 , respectively. Body condition score was greater for the J and F 1 compared to HF. Reproductive efficiency was similar for the HF and J but superior for the F 1 . The Moorepark Dairy Systems Model was used to simulate a 40 ha farm integrating biological data for each breed group. Milk output was highest for systems based on HF cows. Total sales of milk solids and, consequently, milk receipts were higher with J and F 1 compared to HF. Total costs were lowest with F 1 cows, intermediate with HF and highest with J. Overall farm profitability was highest with F 1 cows, intermediate with HF and lowest with J. Sensitivity analysis of milk price, fat to protein price ratio and differences in cost of replacement heifers showed no re-ranking of the breed groups for farm profit.