GoldenCross is a three-breed rotational crossbreeding system combining VikingHolstein, VikingRed and VikingJersey. It is an effective crossbreeding concept that is suitable for all systems, especially pasture-based production.
The result is a herd of medium sized cows that have optimum health with superior tolerance to the weather extremes of heat and cold. They are ideally suited to walk long distances between the pasture and the shed because of their economical frame size and strong feet with dark hooves. What GoldenCross farmers have found is that by crossing the three breeds they get the production from VikingHolsteins, the components from VikingJersey and the health traits from VikingRed.
For dairy farms adopting grazing system or systems with seasonal calvings, fertility is a key factor for success. Moreover, many farmers would like to achieve a high level of production but, at the same time, have fewer problems with their cows. GoldenCross can offer a solution to these issues.
One of the great benefits of crossbreeding is heterosis. Heterosis is the increase of favourable characteristics of a hybrid organism over those characteristics of its parents, when two unrelated breeds are crossed. Research has found that heterosis has the greatest improvement in traits like Vitality, Fertility, Health and Survival. There can also be a small increase in production. The effects of heterosis are the opposite of inbreeding depression.
VikingGenetics has been rigorously testing and breeding for improved health traits in our bulls for 40 years. Data shows that Sweden, Finland and Denmark, where VikingGenetics bulls are used almost exclusively, have the lowest use of antibiotics in the world. At the same time, they also have the highest milk production in the EU. Therefore, by using VikingGenetics bulls or daughters in your crossbreeding programme you can be confident that your herd will not only be healthy, but will produce, and will produce well. In addition to the achieved heterosis, each breed brings something different to the cross.
- VikingHolstein - Production
- VikingRed - Health
- VikingJersey - Solids
