Livestock Studies 1973, Vol 13, Num, 1-2     (Pages: 050-063)

Growth, fertility and livability of Brown and Holstein cattle at Lalahan conditions

Kemal ALIÇ

- The purpose of this study was to investigate the growth, fertility and livability of Brown and Holstein cattle of different origines under the prevailing conditions at Lalahan. 17 Holland Holstein, 15 American Holstein and 27 Karacabey Brown cows and their 174 calves born in four years constituted the material of this study.

The pregnancy and calving rates in regard to the number of cows at sexual maturity were 83 and 76 % for Holland Holstein, 86 and 83 % for American Holstein and 84 and 76 % for Karacabey Browns.

The Brown calves were heavier at birth. However, Holsteins showed faster growth and overpassed brown at three months of age. They had higher measurements than browns at the following age periods.

The mortality rates were 12.5, 13.7 and 17.9 for the Holland Holstein, American Holstein and Karacabey Browns, respectively. It may be concluded that the different genotype groups demonstrated similar and optimum performances for the characteristics studied. Keywords :