...today's research to satisfy the markets of tomorrow. The New Zealand Society of Animal Production has been the major NZ forum for the presentation of research results on farmed animals including: sheep, cattle, dairy, deer and goats for over 50 year's. Over 520 farmers, farm advisors, veterinarians, scientists and university students are members of the Society.

2008 Contents page

Economic modelling of the comparative performance of Jersey x Holstein-Friesian crossbred cows in Victorian Holstein-Friesian herds

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M.F. PYMAN, W. MALCOLM and K.L. MACMILLAN

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 68: 84-87

An economic model was developed to compare two different farm systems using the production results and reproductive performance figures derived from an observational study of 14 seasonally calving dairy herds in Victoria. The farm systems modelled were a crossbred herd comprising Jersey x Holstein-Friesian and Holstein-Friesian x (Jersey x Holstein-Friesian) breed types and a herd of Holstein-Friesian cows with farm operating profit as the outcome. A direct comparison of the two farming systems demonstrated a clear advantage in operating profit that averaged A$21,194 for the 267 cows in the crossbred herd compared to the 252 cows in the Holstein-Friesian herd. The difference in profit was due to the higher potential stocking rate of the crossbred herd (2.27 vs 2.15 cows/ha) because of their lower live weight (1 crossbred cow = 0.93 Holstein-Friesian cow) and superior reproductive performance (84% vs 77% pregnancy rate after 14 weeks) resulting in longer survival and reduced investment in replacement rearing costs.

Keywords: NZSAPAB;

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Last modified: 2nd August 2008