Production characteristics of Jersey-Sindhi grades in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Jersey sires were crossed with Sindhi females. F₂ five-eighths Jersey and three-quarters Jersey animals were bred from the F₁ generation. A pure herd of Ayrshires and three-breed cross animals (with the Bos taurus breeds and one B. indicus breed as ancestors) were also kept contemporaneously with the Jersey x Sindhi crosses. Milk yields of F₁ animals were significantly higher than those of F2 and five-eighths animals. Calving intervals were lowest in the F₁ animals, while calf mortality was lowest in the three-breed crosses and highest in Ayrshires.