Reproductive and Productive Traits Comparison Between Different Breeds with Common Origin in Simmental Cattle

Abstract. The Simmental cattle breed is one of the oldest and most widely spread of all cattle breeds in the world. Crossbreeding Simmental cattle with Romanian indigenous breed was successful in combining the advantages of Simmental with the longevity and resistance of the local breed. Our research aims was to make a comparison between three groups: Romanian Spotted cattle (RS), a cross-breeding between Romanian Spotted and German Fleckvieh (RSxGF) and Austrian Fleckvieh (AF) to enhance the genetic potential under the same environment. For this study were taken into consideration the some reproductive (age at first mating, age at first calving, calving interval, service period, dry period, lactation duration) and productive (milk quantity and quality) traits. It was observed some significant differences in the case of age at first mating and calving, calving interval, service period and lactation duration. The crossbreeding between Romanian Spotted and German Fleckvieh was an alternative to improve the production traits for Romanian breed, decision to be taken into consideration in future breeding programs. Further work to better estimate the breeding values in accordance with the latest scientific findings and assessment procedures similar to those used in Germany and Austria could have a great contribution at the development of a national breeding scheme for Romanian Spotted Cattle breed.