SHOULD I START PROCROSSING? Most farmers are skeptical about crossbreeding. They appreciate the production of their Holsteins. Many want to keep the production at the same level, but would like to have fewer problems with their cows. If you are a farmer with a herd of commercial dairy cows, you’re probably dreaming of improving the following things:
• Better fertility • Increase in lifetime production • Less veterinarian costs
• Less problem cows • Less work per cow
Crossbreeding creates heterosis (also known as hybrid vigour) and solves many of these problems. Keep in mind that it still is very important to use the right breeds and the best bulls within these breeds.
HOLSTEIN
VIKINGRED
MONTBELIARDE
• •
• • • •
• • • •
High production Super udders
Easy calving Good fertility Udder health Longevity
WWW.PROCROSS.INFO
Good fertility High protein % Good body condition score Low cell count
HETEROSIS: YOUR FREE GIFT! • Heterosis is created when unrelated breeds are crossed. • The lower the relation between breeds, the higher the heterosis you get.
• Inbreeding leads to depression, mainly in the secondary traits. Heterosis is the extra added genetic value that is generated above the parent average (see Graph 1).
• The effects of heterosis are the opposite of inbreeding depression.
Breed
Parent average
• Research indicates that heterosis really improves traits like vitality, fertility, health and survival; which can also increase production levels to surpass parent average.
Heterosis 40
Heterosis
30
100% ProCROSS
20
80%
10
2 breeds
60%
10 Breed A
Breed B
Graph. 1: Effect of heterosis
X Breed
Generation 40% 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Graph. 2: Level of heterosis over generations
WHY THREE BREEDS? Capturing and sustaining heterosis is a key part to an efficient crossbreeding program. Only using 2 breeds, the heterosis will drop to 50% in the second generation – leveling at 67% in future generations. ProCROSS is a 3-breed rotation system which generates optimum results with an average heterosis of 86%.
WWW.PROCROSS.INFO