Productive and reproductive performances of F1 Holstein x Gir cows in the state of Minas Gerais

ABSTRACT The objective was to evaluate the productive and reproductive performances of F1 Holstein x Gir cows in the state of Minas Gerais. The herd during the summer was managed in a pasture based production system with supplementation of concentrate according to milk production and in the winter it was fed with sugar cane, citrus pulp and concentrate. The characteristics evaluated were: age at first calving, calving to first service interval, service period, calving interval, permanence the cows in the herd, total milk production per lactation, lactation length, average milk daily, productions adjusted to 280 and to 305 days of lactation, milk production per calving interval, and lactation curves. The Incomplete Gamma function was used to estimate the parameters of lactation curves at parturition order, parturition epoch and service period. The other characteristics were analyzed using linear mixed models. The herd showed great performance (6271,56 kg of milk per lactation). F1 Holstein x Gir cows are a good alternative to milk production, as long as good conditions of handling and feeding are guaranteed, and the use of cows derived from breeding programs targeted using genetic improvement criteria.