Advantages and disadvantages of crossbreeding in dairy cattle, with special attention shown to the Holstein cattle

The Holstein cow is - from global view dominating in milk production. The Holstein cow has significant advantages in the milk production, however unfortunately some disadvantages, especially in fitness traits. The low heritability of the most important fitness traits, how fertility stillbirth and calving difficulties (dystocia) or lifetime, can unfortunately expected only a low genetic progress by selection within a purebred population (such as Holstein). Various breed crossings were tested in recent years in order to test the advantages and disadvantages of different crossings. The main results are described in this paper