Crossbreeding improves feed efficiency

A new study conducted by the University of Minnesota found that ProCROSS cows are more feed-efficient.

Feed has a significant impact not only on the profitability of a dairy farm but also on the environment and animal welfare. Dairy producers have been experiencing great volatility in feed costs, which is decimating profits among dairy farms.

In light of this, dairy farmers are being urged to consider all options to help mitigate these high costs and, at the same time, ensure an optimal diet to improve nutrient digestibility, feed efficiency and profitability in cows.

A new study conducted by the University of Minnesota compared the performance of 3-breed rotational crossbreds of Montbéliarde, VikingRed and Holstein (ProCROSS) with purebred Holstein cows after being fed two alternative diets.

The key parameters invested in the study included dry matter intake (DMI), fat plus protein production, body weight, body condition score, feed efficiency, and residual feed intake (RFI) from 46 to 150 days in milk during the first lactation.

ProCROSS crossbreeding improves feed efficiency

Two alternative diets investigated

The cows in the study were fed either a traditional total mixed ration or a higher fiber, lower starch total mixed ration.

Compared with the traditional TMR, the higher fibre, lower starch TMR had:

Compared with the traditional TMR, the higher fibre, lower starch TMR had:

+21% corn silage
+47% alfalfa hay
-44% corn grain
-43% corn gluten feed

The nutrient content for the duration of the study was 30.3% NDF (Neutral Detergent Fiber) and 23.4% starch in the traditional TMR, and 33.6% NDF and 18.4% starch in the higher fibre, lower starch diet.

Compared with the traditional TMR, the higher fibre, lower starch TMR diet had an 11% higher content of NDF and a 21% lower content of starch.

Click “+” to see the composition details of the two diets in the study.

The diets fed to the cows were formulated by a professional nutritionist to meet or exceed the National Research Council (2001) dairy requirements. The two diets were formulated to have an equivalent net energy content of 1.6 Mcal/kg and a crude protein (CP) content of 16.8%.

The cows were paired according to their expected calving date and then randomly assigned to a traditional diet or a higher fibre, lower starch diet, both of which were fed as a TMR.

The table shows the feed ingredients and nutrient composition of the two diets.

Feed ingredients - % of dry matter (DM)

	Traditional	Higher fibre, lower starch
Alfalfa hay	9.7	14.3
Corn silage	35.5	42.9
Corn gluten feed	9.0	5.1
Corn grain, ground	18.8	10.5
Cottonseed, fuzzy	5.8	5.8
Molasses, liquid	5.0	5.9
Protein mix	15.4	14.1
Energy booster 100 (Hydrogenated fat, Milk Specialties)	0.7	1.3

Higher feed efficiency among crossbred cows

The study concluded that crossbred cows are more feed-efficient than Holstein cows. The study results showed that dairy producers can feed crossbred cows either a traditional TMR diet or a higher fibre, lower starch diet without loss of fat plus protein production.

Key findings of the study

1. Compared with the purebred Holstein cows fed a traditional TMR diet, the crossbred cows fed a higher fibre, lower starch diet had:

12% less dry matter intake (DMI)
14% lower DMI per kg body weight

2. There was no difference in fat plus protein production in crossbred cows or Holstein cows when fed either a traditional TMR diet or a higher fibre, lower starch TMR diet.

3. The crossbred cows had a higher body weight (+50 kg) compared with the Holstein cows when fed a higher fibre, lower starch TMR diet.

4. The crossbred cows fed a traditional TMR had a higher body condition score than both the Holstein cows fed a traditional TMR (+0.46 BCS) and the Holstein cows fed a higher fibre, lower starch diet (+0.62 BCS).

5. The Holstein cows fed a traditional TMR had a higher dry matter intake (+14%) and lower fat plus protein production per kg DMI (-12%) compared with the Holstein cows fed a higher fibre, lower starch diet.

6. The mean residual feed intake (RFI) from 46 to 150 days in milk was lower and more desirable for the crossbred cows fed a higher fibre, lower starch TMR diet (-120 kg) compared with the Holstein cows fed a traditional TMR (85.3 kg).

With the rising cost of feed and a growing need to reduce your carbon footprint, it's important to find ways to improve the efficiency and productivity of your herd.

Crossbred cows are better feed converters and, when fed a higher fibre, lower starch diet, are able to keep good body condition. Structured crossbreeding helps you reduce feed costs without compromising performance or welfare.

Click “+” to see the details of the study results.

The table below shows a comparison of 3-breed rotational crossbreds of Montbeliarde, VikingRed and Holstein with Holstein cows for dry matter intake, production, and residual feed intake after being fed two alternative diets.

Least square means for Holstein and 3-breed rotational crossbred cows fed a traditional and a higher fibre, lower starch diet

	Traditional TRM diet		Higher fibre, lower starch TMR diet
	Holstein	Crossbreds	Holstein	Crossbreds
DMI, kg	2,592	2,436	2,229	2,278
Fat + protein production, kg	269	256	256	255
Body weight, kg	586	576	550	600
BCS	3.19	3.64	3.02	3.64
Fat + protein production per kg body weight	0.10	0.11	0.12	0.11
DMI per kg body weight	4.43	4.21	4.04	3.80
Change in body weight, kg	56.90	73.17	45.09	63.59
Change in BCS	0.21	0.36	0.18	0.31
RFI	85.3	0.8	1.8	-120.0

The study was published in the Journal of Dairy Science, Vol. 105 No. 10, 2022 – Read the full article

https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(22)00492-1/fulltext

Profitable crossbreeding for intensive production

Crossbreeding is growing in popularity around the world. An increasing number of dairy farmers are experiencing the benefits of three-way crossbreeding.

ProCROSS is a 3-breed rotational crossbreeding system combining VikingHolstein, VikingRed and Coopex Montbéliarde, which is suitable for herds adopting intensive production.

Find out more about the benefits of the structured three-way crossbreeding with ProCROSS.