Lactation curves of four genetic groups of Holstein-Zebu crossbred cows

Lactation curves were fitted from 1,340 lactations of F1 Holstein-Gyr, Holstein-Guzerat, Holstein-Nellore and Holstein-Undefined Zebu crossbred cows from two farms with milk controls carried out every 14 days. Nutritional management was based on pastures in the summer, and corn silage and sugar cane with urea during winter and concentrated rations in the milking, according to the production. Incomplet Gamma function was used for estimating parameters of curves, production during lactation peak and of the time from the beginning of lactation to the peak, of persistence and total milk production. Within each genetic group, curves were adjusted for the several lactation orders. Adjusted coefficients of determination were higher than 90% for most of the curves; therefore Incomplete Gamma function adequately fitted lactation curves of F1 Holstein-Zebu cows. Curves showed initial production followed by upward phase until lactation peak and downward phase subsequent to the peak. For fifth or higher orders of Holstein-Nellore, the curve was linear and downward from the beginning. The differences among curves of the first order and others were evident for all genetic groups. Differences among initial production and production during lactation peak were not expressive, with the following means for all lactation orders: mean 2.3 kg for Holstein-Gir; 2.6 kg for Holstein-Guzerat; 1.2 kg for Holstein-Nellore and 3.5 kg for Holstein-Undefined Zebu, showing a discreet lactation peak. The mean from the beginning of lactation to the peak was 23.3 days ranging from 15.8 for Holstein-Nellore group to 32.6 days for Holstein-Undefinied Zebu. Persistence of lactation tended to decrease and initial productions, during the peak and total production increased according to lactation order. In general, Holstein-Undefinied Zebu cows show higher total production and persistence compared to the others.