Crossing to the Brown Swiss was carried on
for 3 successive generations, then followed since 1951 by selective
breeding among the crossbred progeny.
Xinjiang Brown are characterized yu their
desirable milk/meat body conformation, and adaptability to the cold
climate on the northern side of the Tianshan Mountains.
Coat colur is very variable, the majority
of the animals being brown, while others are yellow or of mixed color.
Body measurements
Xinjiang Brown cows are usually smaller than
Sanhe with an average height of 118 cm and a liveweight of 416 kg.
Milk production
The length of the lactation period is, of course,
subject to the influence of feeding conditions.
For cows out on the grassland year round, lactation
is limited to the grass-growing season, i.e. from May to September
and the average milk production is about 1600 kg.
When put on supplementary feed, they may produce
about 3000 kg of milk (305-day basis). Some high producers, fed and
kept in the barn, may yield even more. The average milk fat percentage
is 4.0-4.1.
Reference: Cheng, P. (1984) Livestock breeds
of China. Animal Production and Health Paper 46 (E, F, S). Publ. by
FAO, Rome, 217 pp.
