Results of Major Study on Dairy Breeds Outlined
Issued 10thOctober 2001
The results of a five year study on the best type of dairy cow for Irish conditions were released by Teagasc today.
The study which was conducted jointly by Teagasc and Glanbia on the Glanbia farm at Castlelyons, Co Cork, involved a comparison of high yielding Holstein Friesian cows with two breeds imported from France, Normandes and Montbeliardes. It is part of comprehensive research by Teagasc on breeding the dairy cow for the 21st century.
The results, which were presented to the Chairman of Glanbia, Tom Corcoran, show that Holstein Friesians still lead the field in milk yield. However, both of the imported breeds had higher milk protein levels and had significant higher fertility levels than Holstein Friesians.
Over the five years of the study, 26% of the high yielding Holstein Friesians were not pregnant at the end of the breeding season, compared to less than 10% for the Normandes and Montbeliardes. This growing infertility problem in Holstein Friesians is currently the focus of a major research programme by Teagasc at Moorepark and on farms throughout the country.
The research team, led by Dr Pat Dillon at Teagasc Moorepark also found that one of the imported breeds, the Normandes, had a high incidence of lameness which is a negative characteristic for the Irish milk production system.
This major study marks the end of 25 years of Teagasc/Glanbia collaboration on the Castlelyons farm. Trials on the farm throughout the 1970s and 1980s set the foundation for the dramatic increase in Irish milk yields, involving imported high yielding strains of Friesians from Canada, the UK and Europe.
Glanbia Chairman, Tom Corcoran said the Castlelyons farm acted as a beacon for progressive farming, particularly for dairy farmers in the surrounding areas.
''It epitomised the benefits of joint collaboration between the dairy industry and the state research and advisory services. This collaboration has been further enhanced in recent years with the establishment of the highly successful joint Teagasc/Glanbia Dairy Development Programme'', he said.
The dairy breeding trials are now being transferred to the new Teagasc research farm at Ballyhooley, Co Cork. Additional imported breeds, such as Norwegian Reds and a number of cross breeds will be evaluated. According to Dr Pat Dillon, dairy farmers are showing an increased interest in cross breeding in order to correct the fertility problems associated with Holstein Friesians selected solely for milk yield.
