Norwegian Red Cattle may be suitable also in ecological farming

Janne Karin Brodin

Cows with high genetic potential for kilo milk have the highest milk yield both at low and high concentrate rations, measured in kilo milk as well as in kilo protein per day.

During a three year experiment with Norwegian Red Cattle varying in index for kilo milk from 80 to 110, a series of traits for milk were compared. The cows were split into 4 groups and given concentrates according to lactation stage. The groups were given 4, 8, 12 or 16 kilos of concentrate as the maximum quantity one month after calving. From day 30 of lactation, the concentrate quantity was reduced by one kilo per 30 days.

Cows with a high index for kilo milk had superior yield at low as well as at high concentrate quantities, measured in kilo milk and kilo protein per day. There was however a clear tendency to lower lactose and fat percentages for cows with a high index compared to those with medium index. This tendency was apparent at all 4 levels of concentrate. This entailed that milk production measured as energy corrected milk was not higher for cows with high index compared to those with medium index.

The experiment shows that Norwegian Red Cattle may be well suited to more extensive farming systems for milk production such as ecological farming.

Updated: 27.04.11
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