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A comparison of the productive, reproductive and body condition score traits of the Simmental, Brown Swiss and Tyrol Grey breeds in smallholder herds in Kosovo

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2011

H. Bytyqi ,
G. Klemetsdal ,
J. Ødegård ,
H. Mehmeti  and
M. Vegara
H. Bytyqi
Affiliation:
Department of Livestock and Veterinary Sciences, Agriculture Faculty of Prishtina, University of Prishtina; Rr. “Lidhja e Pejes” 38000, Prishtina, Kosovo
G. Klemetsdal
Affiliation:
Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB), P.O. Box 5025, N-1432 Aas, Norway
J. Ødegård
Affiliation:
Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB), P.O. Box 5025, N-1432 Aas, Norway
H. Mehmeti
Affiliation:
Department of Livestock and Veterinary Sciences, Agriculture Faculty of Prishtina, University of Prishtina; Rr. “Lidhja e Pejes” 38000, Prishtina, Kosovo
M. Vegara
Affiliation:
Noragric, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB), P.O. Box 5003, N-1432 Aas, Norway
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Summary

After the war in Kosovo, the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Bank implemented an Emergency Farm Restocking Project, by allocating Simmental, Brown Swiss and Tyrol Grey heifers, 4–7 months pregnant, to farmers at the rate of one per farm. Data was monitored over a period of 14–16 months and the results showed that Brown Swiss had the highest milk production, while Tyrol Grey did worst. However, Tyrol Grey had the shortest service period and also changed the body condition score postpartum less than the other two breeds, making it best fitted of the three, to the extensive environment in Kosovo. Breeds were compared by growth rate, but this comparison was deemed highly inadequate as breeds with a high growth rate normally reach maturity at a high weight, and so need intensive feeding. Considering the extensive production environment in Kosovo, our results suggest that dairy cattle production should be based on a smaller breed, well adapted to the diet offered

Résumé

Après la guerre du Kosovo, la FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation) et la Banque Mondiale ont mis en place un programme d'urgence pour le réapprovisionnement des fermes. Il s'est agi de fournir pour chacune des fermes du programme une génisse gravide de 4 à 7 mois appartenant à une des trois races suivantes : Simmental, Brown Swiss ou Tyrol Grey. Diverses données de production ont ensuite été collectées sur une période de 14 à 16 mois. Les résultats des analyses ont montré que la Brown Swiss présentait la meilleure production laitière et la Tyrol Grey la plus mauvaise. Cependant, cette dernière a la durée de service la plus courte et son score de composition corporelle est moins variable que les deux autres races, ce qui la rend plus adaptée aux conditions d'exploitation extensives du Kosovo. Les races ont également été comparées pour leur taux de croissance, mais la prise en compte de ce paramètre est jugée particulièrement inappropriée dans la mesure où les individus de race à fort taux de croissance arrivent à maturité à un poids élevé et donc nécessitent des conditions intensives d'alimentation. Ainsi, en considérant les conditions de production extensive du Kosovo, nos résultats indiquent qu'il est préférable pour l’élevage bovin laitier de s'appuyer sur des races de petit format, plus adaptées au régime alimentaire offert.

Keywords

Body condition scoringDairy cattleGrowth rateMilk productionNon-return rateService period
Type
Research Articles
Information
Animal Genetic Resources/Resources génétiques animales/Recursos genéticos animales , Volume 37 , April 2005 , pp. 9 - 20
Copyright
Copyright © Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 2005

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