Comparison of the performance of Holstein-Friesian and Jersey×Holstein-Friesian crossbred dairy cows within three contrasting grassland-based systems of milk production

The performance of spring calving Holstein-Friesian (HF) and Jersey×Holstein-Friesian (J×HF) dairy cows was examined during three successive years (mean of 35 HF cows and 31 J×HF cows per year). Throughout the experiment cows were managed on one of three grassland-based systems of milk production, namely low concentrate (LC), medium concentrate (MC) or high concentrate (HC). Post-calving, cows were housed and offered grass silage, supplemented with 6.0, 8.0 and 10.0 kg concentrate/cow/d in systems LC, MC and HC, respectively (mean period from calving to start of full time grazing, 69 days). During the grazing period target concentrate feed levels were 0, 2.5 and 5.0 kg/cow/d for systems LC, MC and HC, respectively (mean period from start of full time grazing to start full time re-housing, 206 days). Full lactation concentrate inputs were 530, 1092 and 1667 kg/cow, in systems LC, MC and HC, respectively. There were no significant genotype×system interactions for any of the milk production parameters examined. Food intake during the confinement and grazing periods was unaffected by genotype. Milk yield was highest with HF cows while milk fat and milk protein content were highest with the J×HF cows (P