Breeding for milk protein.

[Holsteinfriesian90]

So our milk buyer will be changing there contract to a constituents based one. Looking forward just looking at what is the best breed for milk protein currently Holstein friesian but is it best to look at other breeds to maximise price or just stay with Holstein friesian or go British friesian or look at an alternative?
What breeds are best for there protein production? Not sure we would go down the jersey road because calf value is important to us.

Any advice and thoughts welcome.

 

[alan6430]

Somebody told me before you can spend forever and a day trying to follow a trend and by the time you get where you are aiming for the trend will of moved to something different.

I’d say stay as you are and maybe change your feeding to see if protein will increase a bit?

 

[som farmer]

we have been paid on fat and protein for years, finally got rid of most of the holstiens, we have a mixture of crosses, and if you want to go down the f+p route, take a long look at what ai companys offer. a lot of fr bulls seem to me to be adjusted holstiens, not to mean they don't do the biz, but you still have a 'weak' cow. go for the real fr bulls, some of their sires or g sire I can remember from the 70's and they reduce your vet bills, last several lacs more than h's
jersey crosses can give 8/9000 litres with good fats and p's, they last but where do you go after your jx ? in our 170 herd the hf's are the ones that look like they have anorexia, they stand out because they are taller,thinner than the rest of the fat xbs, last out of the yard but first in, in the hope we've put some food in the racks, the keenan stopped middle of apr, we only put a bale out if really wet. yesterday fat 4.4 pro 3.4, bull wise ,the rest of Europe has always been paid on f+p, as has nz, look on their bulls then look at uks

 

[happycows]

Somebody told me before you can spend forever and a day trying to follow a trend and by the time you get where you are aiming for the trend will of moved to something different.

I’d say stay as you are and maybe change your feeding to see if protein will increase a bit?

This........ i used fleckvieh as they are good on protein and my proteins are usually pretty good. Markets now want fat and the breed is not renowned for being particularly high in fat and feeding lots of grass makes life harder.

Just go for a good all round bull of whichever breed that is a solids improver, but don't ignore other important traits at the expense of just one thing.

 

[sjt01]

Five years ago we changed from high yielding Holsteins (11750 litres) to Brown Swiss pedigree. Put much more emphasis on grazing, and although we are only doing 7200 litres our milk solids are good, 4.26 bf, 3.55 protein average over the past year, and our cost per litre is the lowest of our costings group.

 

[happycows]

https://www.masterrind.com/en/bull/mavid/

2 of my dutch imports are sired by this bull. look at the positive solids on him. they came out of x bred cows back onto holstein again. As a country they seem light years ahead as far as milk solids sold go.

 

[Clay52]

If Jersey isn’t an option it’s Holstein by a mile. You give up too much when you go to the other breeds.

 

[Homesy]

If Jersey isn’t an option it’s Holstein by a mile. You give up too much when you go to the other breeds.

Yep and watch them die at grass ! Been there done that.

 

[Holsteinfriesian90]

Yep and watch them die at grass ! Been there done that.

I believe your dc as well what's your breeding?

 

[Homesy]

Based on Irish imports ,30% of the herd are Jersey X. Currently doing 8000+ @ 4.4 and 3.6. Grazing min. 7 months. Decided on a 3 way X. Jersey on Black and White, then Red and back to Black and White. Not quite sure which Black and white, whether to risk a strong small Holstein or find a milky Friesian. Udders are a priority however, for me with that cross. Seen some grazing herds in Denmark using the same cross doing 8000+ at 5%+ fat and 3.8%+ protein. That's what I am targeting, whether I will get there or not I don't know.

 

[Rossymons]

If its introducing Jersey go out and buy. The herrds selling will have been breeding for solids for years so the production is streets ahead of where you are currently. Far quicker to do that than breed your own.

 

[Cows 'n grass]

Jerseys will certainly increase protein but they will make your fat : protein ratio worse than HFs.

If you just want to up protein while remaining a predominantly b&w herd then LIC type fresians will probably be your best call. There are plenty in the current lineup that will transmit 3.9 protein.

As said above though, who knows what buyers will want in five years time? In nz, Fonterra announced yesterday that they will be paying more for fat that protein next season for the first time in 30+ years. Go Jerseys......

 

[Clay52]

Yep and watch them die at grass ! Been there done that.

Well you obviously did something wrong because Holsteins can and do graze no problem. Last autumn I got 92% incalf rate from 7 weeks breeding with Holsteins on grass. Doesn’t seem like they died on grass to me.

 

[Homesy]

Well you obviously did something wrong because Holsteins can and do graze no problem. Last autumn I got 92% incalf rate from 7 weeks breeding with Holsteins on grass. Doesn’t seem like they died on grass to me.

You don't live in North Devon !

 

[applejack]

Is North Devon holstein killing country then, I'm puzzled

 

[Cows 'n grass]

Depends where you are but if you come inland a bit towards Holsworthy/Barnstaple way it makes west coast Scotland look quite a nice mild dry climate in comparison.

 

[Clay52]

You don't live in North Devon !

And?

Were I live likes to get to 45C+ in summer. Not exactly the fairyland paradise for a gazing Holstein but they can still do very well. I’ve milked other breeds as well. Holsteins went better.

 

[Spear]

Unless you’re a mainly grazing herd just changing cows diet is the fastest way to boost milk proteins.

 

[Holsteinfriesian90]

Unless you’re a mainly grazing herd just changing cows diet is the fastest way to boost milk proteins.

Was interesting yesterday at the meeting consultant chap there was saying milk protein is 2/3rds breeding 1/3 feeding I was quite surprised at that really not sure if this is correct though as you can't always believe what they say.

 

[Spear]

Was interesting yesterday at the meeting consultant chap there was saying milk protein is 2/3rds breeding 1/3 feeding I was quite surprised at that really not sure if this is correct though as you can't always believe what they say.

I used to think that. Just over 2 years ago herd was averaging 3.5-3.6 protein. 12 months later I’d lost all but 7 of those cows to Tb.
Bought a lot of cows and 9 months further on again herd was 50/50 my own breeding vs bought in cows ( nothing special, just what I could find quickly and they would let me have license for) but milk proteins where back to 3.5.