HE  Guang-zhong ¹, SUN Juan^2*, LIU Jing¹, YANG Hong-wen¹, LUO Qi-hua¹

1.Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine of Guizhou Province, Guiyang 550005, China; 2.Guizhou Animal Husbandry Technology Promotion Station, Guiyang 550001, China

Abstract [Objective] The aim was to discuss the improvement effect of Guizhou local yellow cattle crossbred with Fleckvieh. [Method] With Fleckvieh as male parent, they were crossbred with Guizhou local yellow cattle (♀), and hybridized cattle of Simmental ×local yellow cattle (♀) to determine production performance, slaughter performance and lactation performance of their offspring. And they were compared with Guizhou local yellow cattle. [Result] The growth, slaughter and lactation performance of offspring of F₁ Fleckvieh (♂)×Simmental (♂)×local yellow cattle (♀) proved optimal, followed by offspring of F₁ Fleckvieh (♂)× local yellow cattle (♀) and offspring of Guizhou local yellow cattle. [Conclusion] Offspring of improved local yellow cattle crossbred with Fleckvieh (♂) and hybridized cattle of Fleckvieh × Simmental× local yellow cattle enjoy significant heterosis and the economic benefits of cattle farming could be significantly enhanced.

Key words   Fleckvieh; Guizhou local yellow cattle；Growth performance; Lactation performance

Fleckvieh cattle, namely German Simmental cattle, are a hybrid of Switzerland Simmental cattle and German Holstein with introduction of bloods from cattle in other species. They enjoy 150 years of history in breeding and Simmental dual-purpose breeds have been developed thanks for oriented-breeding for 20 years. With balanced milk and meat performance and genetic stability, Fleckvieh cattle are much suitable for hybridization and improvement of cattle in other species ^[1]. In the research, With Fleckvieh as male parent, they were crossbred with Guizhou local yellow cattle (♀), Simmental ×local yellow cattle (♀) to determine and compare production, slaughter and lactation performance of their offspring, providing references for development of beef cattle in Guizhou Province ^[2].

1.1 Animals in the test  Twenty well developed cattle in the test at similar age (fewer than 30 d) included F₁ Fleckvieh (♂)×local yellow cattle (♀), F₁ Fleckvieh (♂)×Simmental (♂)×local yellow cattle (♀) and local yellow cattle, with cow and bull at half. The cattle were divided into three groups according to breed and the related information, such as breeds, were recorded, followed by expelling parasite.

1.2 Design of the test   The test was conducted in a cow breeding base in Animal Frozen Semen Station in Guizhou Province. Cattle were classified into three groups, with twenty for each, as follows: groupⅠ(F₁ F×L), group Ⅱ (F₁ F×S×L) and control group (local cattle); cattle in every group were raised individually with a fixed feeder and concerning items, such as weight, height, side body length, chest circumference and circumference of cannon bone of cattle at borning, three-month old, six-month old, twelve-month old and eighteen-month old were measured; bulls in each group were fattened in high intensity for six months and three were chosen from every group for slaughtering and measurement; cows were through estrus induction with Cloprostenol for reproduction to measure milk performance ^[3-4]. The testing period was March 13^th, 2009 - November 19^th, 2011 and the adjustment period was fourteen days.

1.4 Forage regulation   Cattle were tied down in an oxtall and fed twice a day at 8:30 am and 18:00; forages were fed little in multiple times (the interval time ≥ 0.5 h); concentrated and coarse feeds, silage corn and grass were fed in sequence; forages were recorded each day and water were provided after half hour of feeding. In addition, cattle were cleaned every day and the colony house was kept clean and dry.

2.1 Comparisons of growth performance of offspring in different hybrid groups   As shown in Table 1, under the same conditions, weights of cattle in groupⅠat borning, three-month old, six-month old, twelve-month old and eighteen-month old were all extremely higher than those in control group; in groupⅡ, the weights all extremely higher than those in groupⅠand control group (P<0.01). Comparisons of body length of offspring in different groups.As shown in Table 1, from borning to eighteen-month old, cattle in groupⅠwere higher than control group in chest circumference, circumference of cannon bone and side body length; in groupⅡ, all the items achieved peaks, which indicated that a better effect has been achieved in introduction of Fleckvieh cattle, which is especially true in growth performance.

Table 1 Comparisons of growth performance of offspring in different groups

2.2 Comparisons of slaughtering performance for cattle offspring in different groups  Three cattle were chosen from bulls in each group after high-intensive fattening. As shown in Table 2, live-weight before slaughtering, carcass weight, dressing percentage, pure meat percentage, marbling, backfat thickness and weight of high-standard meat of beef cattle in groupⅠandⅡimproved significantly compared with control group (P<0.01); rate of bone and meat also enhanced significantly (P＜0.05). In contrast, beef cattle in groupⅡ was significantly improved in live-weight before slaughtering, carcass weight, and weight of high-standard meat (P<0.01) and pure meat percentage also improved greatly (P<0.05) than those in groupⅠ. Furthermore, marbling and backfat thickness differed little in the three groups (P > 0.05). These indicated that a good result is achieved in introduction of Fleckvieh and economic benefits of cattle breeding are improved.  

Table 2 Comparisons of slaughtering performance for cattle offspring in different groups

2.3 Comparisons of lactation performance for cattle offspring in different groups  After hybridization, four cattle were chosen from cows in each group for measurement of lactation performance. As shown in Table 3, daily milk production and standard production for cattle at two-month old in groupⅠandⅡ were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.01), but fat percentage in milk was lower (P<0.05); protein percentage in milk in three groups differed little (P>0.05); daily milk production and standard production in group Ⅱ were significantly higher than those in groupⅠ(P<0.05); fat and protein percentages in milk were similar in the two groups. These indicated that introduction of Fleckvieh would significantly improve daily milk production and standard production, but would lower fat percentage in milk.

Table 3 Comparisons of milk performance for cattle offspring in different groups

The test showed that offspring of Fleckvieh crossbred with local yellow cattle and local hybridized cattle are high in adaptability, rapid in growth, strong in disease-resistance and easy to be regulated. Under the same raising condition, cattle at borning, three-month old, six-month old, twelve-month old and eighteen-month old in groupⅠandⅡ were all extremely heavier than those in control group (P<0.01); chest circumference, circumference of cannon bone, height and side body length were all improved in the two groups; live-weight before slaughtering, carcass weight, dressing percentage, pure meat percentage, weight of high-graded meat were significantly enhanced (P<0.01), as well as rate of bone and meat (P<0.05); daily average milk production and standard milk production of cattle at two- and three-month old were both significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.01).

3.1 Effects of cattle species on weight and size of cattle   Weight and size of cattle at different ages (month) are indices to determine growth and development of cattle and the references to conclude effect of species’ improvement. Based on measurement of cattle in three groups, it can be concluded that weight and size of cattle (at different growth stages) in groupⅠandⅡwere better than those in control group under the same raising conditions, and cattle in groupⅡ proved best, which were better in adaptability, strong in disease-resistance, rapid in growth and heavier in weight. These indicated that improved local yellow cattle crossbred with Fleckvieh (♂) and hybridized cattle of Fleckvieh × Simmental× local yellow cattle enjoy significant heterosis, which can be widely promoted.

3.2 Effects of cattle species on slaughtering performance of meat cattle  Slaughtering rate and rate of bone and meat are important indices of slaughtering performance, which are closely related to meat production. Meat at high grade is not defined in China yet. In the test, the high-graded meat includes tenderloin, striploin, ribeye, chuck roast and brisket, of which the blade load was lower than 3.62 kg and marbling was within grade three. In the test, slaughtering rate, pure meat percentage and high-graded meat were improved, as well as rate of bone and meat (P<0.05) compared with control group (P<0.01). In addition, marbling is influenced by species, age and nutrient and the smaller the grade is, the richer the marbling will be. In the test, marbling in three groups differed little (P>0.05); considering indices in slaughtering test, local yellow cattle were poorest and cattle in groupⅡ proved the best. It is cleat that the improved local yellow cattle and the hybridized cattle (Fleckvieh × Simmental× local yellow cattle) are high in meat production.

3.3 Effects of species on lactation performance   Lactation production and ingredients are under influence of many aspects, such as concentrate-roughage ratio of daily forage, intake energy and dry substances, and digestion rate of organic matter. According to statistics of Ministry of Agriculture in Germany, for cow of Fleckvieh, rate of milk production averaged 6 768 kg, fat percentage in milk averaged 4.15%, protein percentage in milk averaged 3.50% until 2005. The test showed that daily average milk production and standard production of cattle at two- and three- month old in groupⅠandⅡwere extremely higher than those in control group (P<0.01), but fat percentage in milk was lower (P<0.05); protein percentages in milk in the three groups were of little differences (P>0.05). These indicated that the improved local yellow cattle and local hybrid cattle are significantly improved in daily milk production and standard production, but lowered in fat percentage in milk with little change of protein in milk.

     Fleckvieh cattle are balanced in lactation and meat performance and stable in gene, which would enhance weight of cattle at borning, daily weight, slaughtering performance and meat, as well as improve milk performance. Hybridized combination determines growth and slaughtering performance of crossbred offspring. Offspring of improved local yellow cattle crossbred with Fleckvieh (♂) and hybrids of Fleckvieh × Simmental× local yellow cattle enjoy significant heterosis and the economic benefits of cattle farming could be significantly enhanced. Therefore, the improved cattle with Fleckvieh and hybridized cattle (Fleckvieh × Simmental× local yellow cattle) are recommended to be promoted.

Received: February 23, 2012                   Accepted: February 28, 2012

HE Guang-zhong (1957-) , male, P.R.China, Researcher, engaging in cattle science

*Corresponding author. Tel: 13885081065，E-mail:hgzong0532@163.com.