What types of dairy cattle should be raised in Vietnam Date: 23/08/2007
Crossbred with 75 % of pure HF - Phuong Binh farm (Cu Chi dist., HCM city)
The present paper analyses experiences of dairy cattle breeding in Vietnam as well as in other tropical countries.
It was shown that purebred temperate dairy cattle could not exhibit their full potential due to stressful environmental factor and low quality feed resources in the tropics. The paper also indicates that crossbreeding of local cattle with temperate dairy cattle led to a dramatic increase in milk yield compared with the local stock. However, a decline in performance and problems of high mortality and reduced fertility were observed as the level of exotic inheritance increased above 75 per cent.
It is therefore recommended that purebred temperate dairy cattle should be raised only in highlands where the climate is cool and sanitary and breeding conditions are favourable.Crossbreds with 50 to 75% exotic inheritance are recommended in most regions of Vietnam.