Heat detection and SCC are key to improvements

摘要

Heat detection rates and somatic cell counts are two areas where UK dairy herds can make big improvements to overall performance, according to University of Reading researcher, James Hanks. Commenting on analysis of 500 NMR recorded herds, representing a cross-section of UK black-and-white herds, he says the variation between the top and bottom performing farms, particularly for these two parameters, is both frightening and encouraging. The study looked at the variation in herd performance for 25 parameters, covering production, fertility and health. Data from the randomly selected farms - which provide good representation of the national herd - is used in NMR's InterHerd+ dairy management program as a benchmark for other producers.