BREEDING HOLSTEIN HEIFERS TO SIRES OF SMALLER BREEDS IN FLORIDA

Problems at parturition in Holsteins lead to economic loss from reduce d production and reproduction. Insemination of Holstein heifers with s emen from smaller breeds may or may not reduce the frequency of such p roblems. Crossbred female dairy calves would be expected to give consi derably less milk when they themselves freshen, and Holstein heifers m ay or may not give less milk following birth of a crossbred calf than a pure Holstein calf. More research is needed.