Efficiency of Six Dairy and Dual-Purpose Cattle Breeds Reared in Low- and High-Productivity Mountain Farming Systems

Breed and herd are major determinants of milk productivity and efficiency. This study evaluated 1508 lactating cows from three dairy (Holstein, Brown Swiss, Jersey) and three dual-purpose (Simmental, Rendena, Alpine Grey) breeds across 41 multi-breed mountain herds. Data on body size, production, and milk samples were collected. Daily milk yield, milk energy, and cheese yield were quantified, and herds were classified under high (>75 MJ/d) or low (<75 MJ/d) average daily milk energy production. Cheese-making traits were predicted from 508 individual model cheese-making trials. Nine productivity ratios and three efficiency indicators (energy efficiency, economic efficiency, and income over feed costs) were calculated. Data was analyzed using mixed models including herd productivity class, herd within class (random), breed, parity, and days in milk. Differences among breeds were smaller within herds than across herds and were more pronounced for quality and cheese-making traits. Dairy and dual-purpose breeds showed similar overall performance. Jerseys were the least productive in absolute terms but, when adjusted for body size, were as or more efficient than other dairy breeds. Holsteins had the highest milk yield, whereas Brown Swiss showed superior milk quality and cheese yield. Simmental outperformed local dual-purpose breeds in size and production but not in efficiency. Accurate assessment of energy and economic efficiency is essential for breeding and crossbreeding strategies.