Combi-Cross – the use of new technologies for improving dairy crossbreeding programs

Abstract Text: Combi-cross combines the advantages of pure breeding and crossbreeding within herd through a hierarchical breeding program with use of sexed semen. The highest ranking females in a purebred nucleus are used for pure breeding, while the lower ranking are used for production of Two-cross animals (F1). The Two-cross animals produce Three-cross animals also expressing full heterosis. As sexed semen is intensively used in the first two stages of the program all Three-cross animals can be inseminated with beef semen. With a 30% replacement rate it possible to reduce the purebred nucleus to 33% of the production cows. The Combi-Cross concept is demonstrated in five demonstration herds, where 331 of the more than 1300 cows are Two-cross cows, producing at the same level as the Holstein cows

Keywords:

dairy cattle

breeding strategies

crossbreeding

sexed semen