THE DO’S AND DON’TS OF DAIRY CROSSBREEDING DON’TS
• Investigate and pick 3 unrelated dairy breeds to use (It sustains hybrid vigor across generations)
• 3 breeds with large sampled population and modern efficient genetic selection program
• Avoid natural breeding (Lack of genetic progress)
• Avoid crossbred bulls
(Lack of homogeneity and genetic progress)
• Avoid related breeds (Lack of hybrid vigor)
• 3 breeds with similar size
DON’TS
DO’S
• Avoid non proven bulls
DO’S
(To avoid size differences in crosses)
• 3 breeds that complement each other: 1 for calving traits, 1 for body conditon, 1 for high production • 3 breeds of AI sires to use alternatively at each generation
• Consider using best and latest genetic within each 3 breeds = Best AI sires (Benefit from inbreed genetic progress)
• Consider using sexed semen as fertility traits are greatly improved in one generation
(Lack of genetic progress within breed)
• Avoid different sized dairy breeds (Lack of size homogeneity - adaptation to facilities)
• Avoid extrem A.I. bull in size within each selected breed. • Avoid 2-breed rotation (Lack of hybrid vigor)
• Avoid 4-breed rotation or more
(Lack of honogeneity and it limits each breed genetic impact)
WWW.PROCROSS.INFO
WHAT IS PROCROSS? ProCROSS is a crossbreeding mating system that complements within-breed genetic progress ProCROSS is using the 3 unrelated and most efficient dairy breeds: Holstein, Montbeliarde and VikingRed
PROCROSS =
HYBRID VIGOR + GENETIC PROGRESS BENEFIT FROM CROSSBREEDING Remember that crossbreeding improves greatly survivability, fertility and general health status compared to purebreeding, especially when inbreeding is higher than 6,25%. Production and type of crossbred cattle are more dependent on genetic level of the 3 selected dairy breeds and even more on the selection of AI sires within those 3 dairy breeds.
CHOOSE PROCROSS THE BEST OF BOTH GENETIC WORLDS (PURE AND XBRED)
WWW.PROCROSS.INFO