THERMO P, the sire for breeding heat-tolerant cows

Heat-resistant cattle are becoming increasingly important across the globe.

Dr. Jutta Berger, Scientific collaborator

Cows respond to high environmental temperatures in different ways. Cattle breeds that can trace their origins from tropical regions are better equipped to handle humid heat. They produce larger sweat volumes and are able to cool their body surface better than cows from common dairy breeds. This means they are affected less quickly by heat stress.

Geneticists have discovered that such animals carry a gene mutation on chromosome 20 called the “SLICK gene”. As this gene variant is dominantly sired, it has been possible over the last few years to cross it in Holstein and Jersey cattle. More background information on breeding practice using the SLICK gene can be found on www.die-fruchtbare-kuh.ch.

Through THERMO-ET SL P there ist now a first European Red Holstein bull that is a heterozygous carrier of the SLICK gene. Sexed and conventional doses of THERMO-ET SL P are available from Swissgenetics.