Some Progeny and Milk Yield Characteristics of Kilis and Holstein Friesian x Kilis Crossbred Cattle.

This study was carried out to determine some growth, milk and progeny yield characteristics of Southern Anatolian Red (Kilis), Holstein and Kilis cattle first crosbred generation (HFxKilis, F1) and backcross to the paternal breed (HFxF1, B1) crossbred in the GAP International Agricultural Research and Training Center in Diyarbakır. In this study, milk yield of lactation in Kilis, F1 and B1 cattle were determined as 2001.88 kg, 2686.31 and 3901.59 kg; respectively (P<0.001). Also, the lactation period of Kilis cattle and crossbreds were 222.55, 244.5 and 278.17 days, respectively. The lactation period of Kilis cattle was significantly shorter than that of crossbred cattle (P<0.05). Additionally, the birth and the weaning weights of the offspring were found at least in the Kilis calfs and the highest value in the B1 crossbreed calfs (P<0.05). As a result of this study, crossbreeding between Holstein and Kilis cattle, birth weight, weaning weight of calves, milk yield and lactation duration were increased in crossbred cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]