Ranking Dairy Cows for Optimal Breeding Decisions

This paper discusses when to start and stop breeding cows in their lactation. First, a review of the literature on the optimal voluntary waiting period (when to start breeding cows) shows that there is not much consensus on how long the economically optimal voluntary waiting period is. Secondly, the paper then describes a computer program that calculates the insemination value (IN$) for cows in a herd to support breeding decisions. The insemination value is the expected profit from breeding the cow compared to not breeding her when a breeding opportunity arises. Cows with an insemination value less than $0 should not be bred. Early in lactation this implies that the voluntary waiting period for cows with an insemination value less than $0 should be extended. The program showed that high producing persistent cows should have an extended voluntary waiting period. On the other hand, extending the voluntary waiting period for low producing cows could be costly. Insemination values are illustrated for the cows at the University of Florida Dairy Research Unit. The program currently functions as an add-on to PCDART and will be available to dairy producers to assist them with breeding decisions.