Productive characteristics of Simmental cows of different constitutional–productive types across lactation dynamics and milk quality parameters

Abstract

Introduction. The Simmental cattle breed is one of the most valuable and widely distributed breeds in global livestock production. Within the breed, three constitutional–productive types are distinguished—dairy, dairy–beef, and beef–dairy—which differ substantially both in constitutional conformation and in productive qualities.
Aim. To conduct a comprehensive comparative assessment of the three constitutional–productive types of the Simmental breed (dairy, dairy–beef, and beef–dairy) across three lactations in the same herd under specific natural and climatic conditions.
Materials and methods. The study was conducted on 92 mature cows allocated to three groups according to constitutional–productive type at the Russian breeding farm of the Abodimovsky Agricultural Production Cooperative in Saratov Oblast over 305 days of lactation. The animals were evaluated for milk productivity (305-day milk yield and milk fat content) and zootechnical indicators: milk fat yield and milk yield coefficient. Milk samples were analyzed for quality parameters, including the contents of fat, protein, dry matter, and solids-not-fat (NSF), as well as density, acidity, and caloric value.
Results. The findings include comparative data on milk productivity (milk yield, milk fat content, milk fat yield, live weight, and milk yield coefficient) in Simmental cows of three constitutional–productive types (dairy, dairy–beef, and beef–dairy) across the first, second, and third lactations. Milk quality parameters were analyzed, and milk yield coefficients were calculated for the different constitutional–productive types. The dairy-type animals were characterized by the highest milk yields (on average, 5113.3 kg per lactation) and milk fat output, as well as the maximum milk yield coefficient (9.16). Beef–dairy-type animals were distinguished by the highest milk protein content (3.56%), whereas dairy–beef-type animals showed the best-balanced set of indicators and high milk caloric value (705 kcal/kg).
Conclusion. Within-breed reserves for improving the efficiency of dairy cattle farming were identified: dairy-type animals were found to have the maximum milk yield coefficient (8.65), but they were inferior in protein content (3.47%) and SNF content (9.2%) to dairy–beef (3.52% and 9.8%) and beef–dairy (3.56% and 9.3%) types.