Crossbreeding here to stay

The findings are very positive, and crossbreeding is very much here to stay, says Frank Buckley of the Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, which has been involved for the past six years in evaluating the merits of crossbreeding with Jersey.

A large on-farm study (2006 to 2009) also provided a clear insight into crossbreeding, with Norwegian Red.

While crossbreeding is not everyone’s ‘cup of tea’, it is very clear from the research results of both studies that crossbreeding will make an increasing contribution as the industry drives to maximise output and profit per hectare, and reduce production costs, says Buckley.