Normande x Holstein, Montbeliarde x Holstein, and Scandinavian Red x Holstein crossbreds compared to pure Holsteins for fertility, production, survival, and profitability

NormandexHolstein, MontbeliardexHolstein, and Scandinavian RedxHolstein crossbred cows had fewer days to first breeding, higher pregnancy rates, and fewer days open than pure Holstein cows during the first five lactations. However, NormandexHolstein (-9.0%), MontbeliardexHolstein (-2.7%), and Scandinavian RedxHolstein (-2.9%) cows were lower than pure Holstein cows for fat plus protein production across the first five lactations, but magnitude of difference from pure Holstein cows was small for MontbeliardexHolstein and Scandinavian RedxHolstein cows. Mean SCS across the five lactations was similar for NormandexHolstein and pure Holstein cows; however, MontbeliardexHolstein and Scandinavian RedxHolstein cows had significantly lower SCS than pure HO cows. NormandexHolstein, MontbeliardexHolstein, and Scandinavian RedxHolstein crossbred cows had less death loss and fewer removals prior to first milk recording and during the first 305 days of first lactation than pure Holstein cows. A significantly higher percentage of NormandexHolstein, MontbeliardexHolstein, and Scandinavian RedxHolstein cows calved a second, third, and fourth time than pure Holstein cows. All crossbred groups were significantly higher than pure Holstein cows for lifetime fat plus protein production to 1,461 days after first calving. Furthermore, NormandexHolstein, MontbeliardexHolstein, and Scandinavian RedxHolstein cows had significantly greater projected lifetime profit than pure Holstein cows, and MontbeliardexHolstein and Scandinavian RedxHolstein cows had more profit per day in the herd than pure Holstein cows...