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%protein and fat versus kg fat and protein
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<blockquote data-quote="The Agrarian" data-source="post: 4564798" data-attributes="member: 3656"><p>I've milked three '08 models (first cross), one of which is still going well. Moderate milker and very regular calver. I only have dates for lactations 5, 6, 7 & 8 and she has slipped a month and a half. But with a birth date of 10/08, and an 8th calving date of 08/17, she may have gained a little time overall. The other two milked very well, but the bags let them down in the end. They were part of an experiment I got talked into by a friend who gave me the semen, and I only did it to please him. I had no notion whatsoever of going white heads. I have some tough calf first crosses downwards, but more montbeliarde, which I chose at the time because of their more dairy characteristics. Both those breeds have milked moderately and bred mostly very well. Had a quick look through them and some have gained a couple of months over four calvings, some have lost a couple. Cull losses appear to be considerably less, but can't quote any figures on that. Just my gut feeling. </p><p></p><p>Looking back on the detail, the first bull given to me years ago was not special in the udder. In the second run which are fourth calf and below, I was fussy about udder selection, and they are really pretty good for a non Holstein breed. Holstein will probably always be the champion of udders, and plenty of leg into the bargain too, but slightly less will still do for me anyway if there's something good in return. </p><p></p><p>Lots of variation across the breed, and probably less consistency in a batch of daughters. But then, I'm still crossbreeding them which might not be a true comparison. I've gone for the best udders I can get with the right combination of other traits. It's something you didn't have to worry much about in more recent times with Holstein, almost taken for granted they'll be good bags. Really watch calving ease. I don't compromise on it either as I hate interventions. </p><p></p><p>I'm not sure yet how far down the line I'll go with fleckvieh. I'm just playing that by ear. My notion so far is to cross with brown Swiss if they get too un-dairy like. I've had good experience with them. And I'd fully expect that some day a Holstein cross on fleckvieh cows could produce an awesome animal, like the effect we got decades ago crossing Holstein onto Friesian. But brown Swiss are good, and I'd use them to keep the white heads tidy if it's needed, and I really have no current desire to head back to Holstein. I want %'s up, culls down, hassle and costs down, and residual value up. Prepared to take less milk to get it.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="The Agrarian, post: 4564798, member: 3656"] I've milked three '08 models (first cross), one of which is still going well. Moderate milker and very regular calver. I only have dates for lactations 5, 6, 7 & 8 and she has slipped a month and a half. But with a birth date of 10/08, and an 8th calving date of 08/17, she may have gained a little time overall. The other two milked very well, but the bags let them down in the end. They were part of an experiment I got talked into by a friend who gave me the semen, and I only did it to please him. I had no notion whatsoever of going white heads. I have some tough calf first crosses downwards, but more montbeliarde, which I chose at the time because of their more dairy characteristics. Both those breeds have milked moderately and bred mostly very well. Had a quick look through them and some have gained a couple of months over four calvings, some have lost a couple. Cull losses appear to be considerably less, but can't quote any figures on that. Just my gut feeling. Looking back on the detail, the first bull given to me years ago was not special in the udder. In the second run which are fourth calf and below, I was fussy about udder selection, and they are really pretty good for a non Holstein breed. Holstein will probably always be the champion of udders, and plenty of leg into the bargain too, but slightly less will still do for me anyway if there's something good in return. Lots of variation across the breed, and probably less consistency in a batch of daughters. But then, I'm still crossbreeding them which might not be a true comparison. I've gone for the best udders I can get with the right combination of other traits. It's something you didn't have to worry much about in more recent times with Holstein, almost taken for granted they'll be good bags. Really watch calving ease. I don't compromise on it either as I hate interventions. I'm not sure yet how far down the line I'll go with fleckvieh. I'm just playing that by ear. My notion so far is to cross with brown Swiss if they get too un-dairy like. I've had good experience with them. And I'd fully expect that some day a Holstein cross on fleckvieh cows could produce an awesome animal, like the effect we got decades ago crossing Holstein onto Friesian. But brown Swiss are good, and I'd use them to keep the white heads tidy if it's needed, and I really have no current desire to head back to Holstein. I want %'s up, culls down, hassle and costs down, and residual value up. Prepared to take less milk to get it. [/QUOTE]
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%protein and fat versus kg fat and protein
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