Economic assessment of Holstein-Friesian dairy cows of divergent Economic Breeding Index evaluated under seasonal calving pasture-based management

摘要

The objective of this study was to investigate theeconomic performance of 2 genetic groups (GG) ofHolstein-Friesian dairy cows of divergent EconomicBreeding Index (EBI), evaluated within 3 contrastingspring-calving pasture-based feeding treatments(FT). The study was a simulated economic appraisal,using the Moorepark Dairy Systems Model, a stochasticbudgetary simulation model integrating biologicaldata obtained from a 4-yr experiment conducted from2013 to 2016. The 2 divergent GG were (1) high EBIrepresentative of the top 5% nationally (elite) and (2)EBI representative of the national average (NA). The3 FT were reflective of slight restriction to generousfeeding. The elite GG had the lowest replacement rate,and therefore had lower replacement costs and an olderand more productive parity structure. The elite GGconsistently had higher sales of milk (on average +3%or +18,370 kg of milk) and milk solids (milk fat plusprotein yield; +8.7% or +4,520 kg) compared with theNA GG across the 3 FT scenarios. Milk income wasconsequently greater for elite versus NA (on average+9.5% or +€21,489) cows. Livestock sales were greater(on average +13.2% or +€4,715) for NA comparedwith elite cows. Baseline net farm profit and net profit/ha at a base milk price of 29.5 cents per liter (3.3%protein and 3.6% fat) were on average €31,156, and€772 greater for elite compared with NA cows acrossthe 3 FT. Greater profitability achieved with elitecows in each of the FT investigated demonstrated theadaptability of high-EBI cows across different levelsof feeding intensities in seasonal pasture-based feedingsystems. Sensitivity analysis of varying milk price andconcentrate cost did not result in a reranking of GGfor farm profit. This study clearly demonstrates thepower of a suitably constructed genetic-selection indextogether with a well-considered breeding program todeliver genetics capable of favorable change to farmphysical performance and profit over a relatively shortduration.