A research on longevity, culling reasons and milk yield traits in between Holstein and Simmental cows

In recent years, dairy cattle breeders prefer Simental cows due to higher breeding time and lower incidence of disease, although they have lower milk yield than Holstein cows. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate longevity, the culling reason and some milk yield traits in between the two breeds to investigate the accuracy of this preference. All data that used were collected from herd (Bursa–Karacabey state farm) records belongs to culling cows in two years (2015-2016) and analysed. Longevity for Holstein and Simmental cows were determined 33.6±1.08 month and 33.7±1.21 month. Average lactation milk yield (LMY), 305 days milk yield (305-dMY) and days in milk (DIM), were found to be 8515.63±196.507 kg, 7517.98±148.289 kg and 403.75±9.575 days respectively for Holstein cows and 6079.75±163.126 kg, 5525.71±117.931 kg and 351.40±8.559 days for Simental cows. While the differences between two breeds in terms of longevity and culling reasons were not significant, Holstein cows had higher milk yield than Simmental cows. As a conclusion, it can be said that Holstein cows is the best choice for dairy breeders in local circumstances