Is A 50,000 litre Lifetime Performance Herd Average A Reality? Aidan Cushnahan
Benefits of Improving Lifetime Performance • Reductions in replacement rate • Reductions in environmental pressures • Improvements in public perception of the dairy industry
What is Meant by Cow Longevity? - Estimates of Current and Target Performance Average Top 25 % Target Total lifetime yield (l/ cow) 27,375 35,949 50,000 Daily lifetime yield (l/ cow/ day) 12.5 14.7 16 – 18 Age at exit (Years) 6.0 6.7 8.0 – 9.0 Lactations 3.6 4.0 5.0 – 6.0 Average and Top 25 % figures based on analysis of 500 NMR recorded herds (After Hanks and Kossaibati, 2018)
Source: Milk Source Dairies
Areas of Study • Transition Cow Management – Netherlands, Canada and U.S.A. • Calf and heifer rearing – Netherlands and U.S.A. • Cross breeding – Ireland and U.S.A.
Effects of Crossbreeding (ProCROSS Farm Study) Breed Group Holstein Holstein x Montbeliarde x Viking Red Age at first calving (months) 23.2 22.7 Lifetime fat + protein (kg/ day) 2.55 2.49 Total Lifetime fat + protein (kg) 2,132 2,517 % Conception rate to first service 38 46 Days in herd 850 1,026 Source: University of Minnesota
Possible Outcomes • Eliminate incidences of sub clinical ketosis - +936 l/ cow • Reduce AFC by 2 months - +1,200 l/ cow • Increase pre weaning LWG - +1,500 l/ cow • Genomic selection/ Cross breeding programme - +1 extra lactation? • Potential Impact on Average Herd – 39,000 l/ cow • Potential Impact on Top 25 % - 48,000 l/ cow
Conclusions • Achieving a 50,000 l herd average may be possible in medium – long term • What can you do within your BDG to improve cow lifetime performance? – Minimise drops in feed intake during transition – Maximise feed intake post calving – Reduce Age at First Calving to 24 months – Increase pre weaning liveweight gains to 1.0 kg/ day – Consider your breeding strategy?
Recommend
More recommend
