St. Paul Herd Research: A Comparison of ProCROSS© and Holstein Cows

The St. Paul herd research conducted over a three-year period involved the comparison of 123 first-lactation cows (63 ProCROSS© and 60 Holstein) and 80 second-lactation and third-lactation cows (43 ProCROSS© and 37 Holstein). The study focused on various parameters including dry matter intake, body weight, wither height, body condition score, milk volume, and fat plus protein production.

All cows in the study were fed the same total mixed ration twice daily in tie-stalls with partitions in the manger. Feed samples were collected twice weekly to determine dry matter content, and feed intakes were recorded between days 4 to 150 of lactations. Additionally, body weight, height, and body condition score were recorded for each cow during the same lactational period.

The results revealed that fat plus protein production was not significantly different between the two genetic groups during first lactation or second and later lactations. However, ProCROSS© cows exhibited higher percentages of fat and protein in their milk compared to Holstein cows. This is particularly significant as milk pricing is often based on the solids content rather than the fluid carrier of milk.

Moreover, the ProCROSS© cows had lower dry matter intake compared to Holstein cows despite equal fat plus protein production. This difference was notable, with ProCROSS© cows consuming 312 pounds less dry matter intake (-4.8 percent) during the 147-day study period in first lactation and 512 pounds less dry matter intake (-6.5 percent) in second and third lactations.

In addition to the differences in feed intake and milk composition, ProCROSS© cows also exhibited distinct physical characteristics compared to Holstein cows. They had shorter height at the withers, carried more body condition, but were similar in body weight. These differences could potentially offer advantages in terms of fertility, health, and overall commercial dairying operations.

Furthermore, alternative feed efficiency evaluation measures were considered in the study, including fat plus protein production divided by dry matter intake, energy-corrected milk divided by dry matter intake, dry matter intake divided by body weight, and residual feed intake. ProCROSS© cows were found to be significantly more feed efficient than Holstein cows across all these measures.

It is worth noting that the study focused on feed efficiency in a narrow economic sense, without considering factors such as fertility rates, health treatment costs, and herd life. However, based on the research findings, improved feed efficiency can be added to the list of advantages of ProCROSS© cows over Holstein cows.

In conclusion, the St. Paul herd research highlighted significant differences between ProCROSS© and Holstein cows in terms of feed intake, milk composition, and feed efficiency. These findings provide valuable insights for dairy farmers looking to optimize their operations and maximize productivity. The study also underscores the potential advantages of ProCROSS© cows in terms of fertility, health, and overall economic viability in commercial dairying.