Performance Herd Average A Reality? Aidan Cushnahan Benefits of - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Performance Herd Average A Reality? Aidan Cushnahan Benefits of - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Mar 25, 2023 296 likes •553 views

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

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Is A 50,000 litre Lifetime Performance Herd Average A Reality?

Aidan Cushnahan

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Benefits of Improving Lifetime Performance

  • Reductions in replacement rate
  • Reductions in environmental pressures
  • Improvements in public perception of the

dairy industry

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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)

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Source: Milk Source Dairies

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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.
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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

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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
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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?