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Case Example 1:
Profitability of using sexed semen: A static and deterministic simulation
Different kinds of simulation
Friday: Simherd: This morning: SimFlock This afternoon: ”Sexed semen model”
Sexed Semen Economics
Budgetting: profitability of sexed semen use
PhD-side-project: May 2006, Colorado State University
Sexed Semen
Small intro:
- technique of sexing semen: X-Y
- expensive
- damaging
- 90% correct
90% heifer calves:
- fewer dead born calves
- fewer heavy calvings
- replacement
- expand herd
- sell heifer calves
- sell springing heifers
- breed cows with beef semen
Semen costs:
- expensive semen
- bad conception
- extended age at first calving
- extended calving interval
- multiple use of semen
Sexed Semen Static-mechanistic approach:
Spread-sheet model to ”simulate the herd”
- 39 biological input parameters: (re)production, culling, calving
- 24 output: calves born, semen used, calving interval, age at first calving
- deterministic and static
- quantified with whole-farm-budget