Lucy Coleman

Citation

Thesis Title
The use of high genetic merit Angus and Hereford bulls in a New Zealand dairy herd

Read article at Massey Research Online:

Using beef bulls over dairy cows improves the rearing potential of the calves but can create challenges on the dairy farm. Ms Coleman examined the suitability of Angus and Hereford bulls for use in dairy herds and determined that service sire did not affect milk production or rebreeding success of the cow. She showed that there are many Angus and Hereford bulls with suitable birth weight and gestation length. Hereford calves were easily identified by their white face and Angus-sired calves could be distinguished from dairy-breed calves based on being polled with a black tongue. Ms Coleman also investigated Angus, Hereford, and Jersey bulls over dairy heifers, finding that very-easy-calving beef bulls can be used with no negative effects. Her results provide guidance on the use of high genetic merit beef bulls to mate dairy cows in order to generate a greater value calf with little impact on cow performance.

Supervisors
Associate Professor Penny Back
Professor Hugh Blair
Professor Nicolas Lopez-Villalobos
Professor Rebecca Hickson