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Title: What breeds make up the national herd?

Author
item POWELL, REX - Collaborator
item Norman, H

Submitted to: Hoard's Dairyman
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/29/2010
Publication Date: 2/10/2011
Citation: Powell, R.L., Norman, H.D. 2011. What breeds make up the national herd?. Hoard's Dairyman. 156(3):83.

Interpretive Summary: Dairy cattle generally are crossbred to improve fitness and vitality, particularly fertility. Past statistics on breed frequencies did not necessarily reflect the contribution of various breeds as accurately as possible for the national dairy herd because each animal was considered to be the breed reported through the dairy industry. Changes in USDA’s national dairy database have resulted in the ability to know which breeds contribute to each cow and in what proportion. Breeds other than Holstein showed an overall increase in the percentage of genes contributed compared with former breed percentages. Although crossbreeding in dairy cattle is not as common as in other livestock species, crossbreeding has been increasing, with the increase more rapid in recent years. More matings to nontraditional breeds, largely Scandinavian, are increasing the contribution of genes from those breeds. Improved knowledge of an animal’s breed composition results in more accurate genetic evaluations and aids in selection of mates if crossbreeding.

Technical Abstract: Changes in the procedures and database at the Animal Improvement Programs Laboratory have resulted in the ability to know which breeds contribute to each cow and in what proportion. Previously each animal was considered to be the single breed reported through the dairy industry; therefore, statistics on breed frequencies did not necessarily reflect the contribution of various breeds as accurately as possible for the national dairy herd. Because differences were only from animals that were crossbred, the statistics did not change greatly. However, breeds other than Holstein showed an overall increase in the percentage of genes contributed compared with former breed percentages. Holstein and Red & White breeds are considered to be a single breed for the purpose of genetic evaluation and have contributed about 90% of genes in recent years. The contribution from Jerseys has increased, whereas the contributions of most other non-Holstein breeds have decreased. Although crossbreeding in dairy cattle is not as common as in other livestock species, crossbreeding has been increasing, with the increase more rapid in recent years. Crossbreds accounted for 0.6% of dairy cattle born in 1990, 0.8% in 1995, 1.3% in 2000, 3.3% in 2005, and 4.7% in 2007. The reason for crossbreeding is generally to improve fitness and vitality, particularly fertility, through heterosis or hybrid vigor. When breeds are crossed, the resulting females usually are mated to one of the parental breeds rather than to a third breed. More matings to nontraditional breeds, largely Scandinavian, are increasing the contribution of genes from those breeds, but the level is still quite low (0.2% for cows born in 2007). A few cows have reported contributions from eight breeds plus a portion unknown.