Meta-analysis for Milk Production performance Traits of Jersey cross, 50% HF and 75% HF Cross Dairy Cattle in Ethiopia

This review evaluated the milk production performance of crossbred dairy cattle, focusing on Jersey cross, 50% HF cross, and 75% HF cross breeds in Ethiopia. Data from 131 crossbred cattle performance records were analyzed using SAS (version 9.0) software. The overall means for milk production traits were 6.30±1.20 liters for daily milk yield (DMY), 326.13±25.99 days for lactation length (LL), and 1947.13±444.57 liters for lactation milk yield (LMY). Genetic group significantly (p<0.05) influenced milk production performance traits. The 75% HF cross exhibited superior performance in DMY and LMY, while the 50% HF cross showed better performance in LL. Phenotypic correlations among milk production traits were positive and low, with values of 0.439 between LMY and DMY, 0.352 between LMY and LL, and 0.034 between DMY and LL. The results indicate that 75% HF crossbred cows generally outperformed 50% HF and Jersey crosses in milk production traits, with higher proportions of exotic genes correlating with increased milk yield. However, the recommendation of 75% HF crosses for milk production in low-input systems should be carefully considered. Efficient management practices, including genetic improvement, quality feed supplementation, and health management, are essential for optimizing milk production performance. A balanced crossbreeding strategy, integrating genetic improvement with sustainable management, is essential for enhancing dairy productivity and resilience in Ethiopia.

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