PROCROSS IS THE BEST PROVEN CROSSBREEDING PROGRAM - USED BY PROGRESSIVE DAIRY FARMERS IN THE US, ITALY, SPAIN, GERMANY, PORTUGAL AND OTHER PLACES. BY NOW THE COMBINATION OF SWEDISH RED, MONTBELIARDE AND HOLSTEIN HAS PROVEN TO BE THE MOST PROFITABLE COMBINATION AS YOU GET THE MAXIMUM HYBRID VIGOUR ON TOP OF THE HIGH PERFORMANCE OF THE THREE BREEDS.

The Swedish Red are all calving ease, ferlility and medium sized high producing cows with excellent udder health. Montbeliarde is a 100% dairy breed with high quality protein. Montbeliardes are known for outstanding feet & legs, healthy udders as well as adapted body condition that ensures high ferlility. Holsteins are worldwide renown for milk production and udder conformation.

HETEROSIS: YOUR FREE GIFT

The effects of heterosis are the opposite ofthe effect of inbreeding depression. Research indicates that heterosis is great for traits like vitality, fertility, health and survival allowing also higher production then parent average (see Graph. 1)

The additive breed effects are important in crossbreeding as well as in all breeding. The heterosis is an extra benefit on top of the parent average. So one critical point is to always use the best bulls in the breeds. A crossbreeding program needs to be well planned and organized to produce benefits. Pro-cross is the combination of three unrelated, competitive breeds all with efficient breed improvement programs.

WHY THREE BREEDS?

Capturing and sustaining heterosis is a key part to an efficient crossbreeding program. Once you have gotten used to the extra bonus of heterosis, you do not want it to drop below 75%. For 2-breed crisscrossing the extent of heterosis drops to 50% in the second generation - levelling off at 67%. A system of 4 breeds results in a high heterosis on average, but contribution of each individual breed is too much diluted. A 3-breed rotation is the optimum and results in average heterosis of 86% .

CROSSBREEDING: HOW TO GET STARTED?

- Holstein heifers: breed to Swedish Red semen
- Holstein cows: breed to Montbeliarde semen

On a pure Holstein herd, the extrem calving ease of the Swedish Red bulls gives all pure Holstein heifers an extra guarantee to calve safely. Montbeliarde semen will logically fit on all Holstein cows. Then, Montbeliarde semen has to be used on all Swedish Red/Holstein heifers and cows. Swedish Red semen has to be used on all Montbeliarde/Holstein heifers and cows. Colour tagging: It is important to strictly follow the same order for each breed in the rotation, enhancing hybrid vigour. Colour tagging (one colour per breed) allows it to be simple for breeding purposes.

GO FOR PRO-CROSS AND YOU WILL:

- MAINTAIN OR INCREASE YOUR SOLIDS PRODUCTION

- GET YOUR COWS PREGNANT
Swedish Red and Montbeliarde crosses have higher fertility - they get pregnant 2-3 weeks sooner then the Holsteins.

- GET EASIER CALVINGS
Swedish Red and Montbeliarde crosses: outstanding maternal calving ability due to strong selection for decades. Swedish Red is an ideal option for heifers - showing only 5,5% difficulties.

- CUT YOUR TOTAL COSTS
Slight decrease in milk volume but better milk quality. Easier calvings in all cases of a higher value calve. Clear Superiority on Fertility, Survival and Ability to calve a 2nd time.

- INCREASE GLOBALLY YOUR PROFIT
US-Economics: " Crossbreeding cows makes more profit" (+25%). Reported by the California Cost of Production Annual 2007

PRO-CROSS: PROVEN CROSSBREEDING PROGRAM

Updated results from 7 large dairies in California, U.S.A. Crossbreeding trials
(Les Hansen, Brad Heins and Tony Seykora, University of Minnesota, 2007)

THE PRO-CROSS PROGRAM IS USED IN CALIFORNIA AND NOT ONLY THE PERFORMANCE HAS SHOWN TO BE UNBEATABLE. THE HERDS GET 25% MORE PROFIT PER KG MILK! SO THERE IS NO REASON TO HESITATE - THE PRO-CROSS IS PROVEN, PROFITABLE AND PROGRESSIVE!

CROSSBRED HERDS: 25% MORE PROFIT PER KG OF MILK!

USA - Economics Crossbreeding: Crossbreds cows make more Profit (+25%).
Reported by the "California Cost of Production Annual 2007"

California producers often look into different management practices to gain a competitive advantage and improve their profit margins.

Crossbreeding takes part of innovation and many herds in the US are following the steps ofthe initial 7 californian herds that launched crossbreeding program with Montbeliarde and Swedish Red semen 10 years ago.

The 2007 report published by the California Department of Food and Agriculture shows a comparison between 130 herds of pure Holsteins and 7 herds (representing over 6.000 crossbreds) that have crossbred a large percentage (>95%) of Holstein cows
mainly with Montbeliarde, Swedish Red and some other European dairy breeds of cattle.

CALIFORNIA CROSSBRED AND PUREBRED HREDS PRODUCTION COST COMPARSION: