Rolling Herd Average Research Articles

Effects of Rumen-Inert Fat on Lactation, Reproduction, and Health of High Producing Holstein Herds

Two hundred twenty of 443 cows freshening between June 1989 and March 1990 in five commercial Holstein herds were fed .45 kg/d of rumen-inert fat from calving until 200 DIM. Control diets were fed as TMR and contained, on average, 3.7 to 4.8% supplemental fat (DM basis). Test herds had rolling herd averages of 9300 to 13,250kg of milk. Production of 4% FCM and milk increased 1.01 (3.3%) and 1.50 kg/d (4.6%), respectively, for primiparous cows fed additional fat. Multiparous cows from four herds demonstrated no response; multiparous cows in one herd increased production of 4% FCM by 2.88 kg/d (8.2%), milk by 2.45 kg/d (6.4%), and milk fat by .14 kg/d (10.6%) in response to additional fat. An explanation of response differences among herds for multiparous cows was not possible. For primiparous and multiparous cows, increased genetic potential increased treatment response. Increased body condition score at calving influenced treatment response of multiparous cows. Thinner cows produced more milk and less milk fat in response to additional dietary fat than did fatter cows. Most reproductive indices were unaffected by treatment. Cows receiving additional fat had lower, but nonsignificantly lower, incidences of most health disorders. Responses to rumen-inert fat by cows receiving high concentrations of dietary fat were marginal and were affected by body condition score at calving and by genetic potential.

Stage of lactation profile reflects nutrition and management (1994)

The Stage of Lactation Profile (SOLP) is a good estimate of the shape of the lactation curve for dairy herds. The SOLPs for herds with various milk production levels are somewhat similar. The rates of decline of all SOLPs are about the same. Therefore, the differences in production levels are about the same in late stages of lactation and in early lactation, regardless of production Rolling Herd Average (RHA). In addition, higherproducing herds have their highest level of production in the second stage of lactation (51 to 100 days in milk), whereas this occurs in the first stage of lactation (<50 days in milk) in lower-producing herds. Nutrition and management programs have a large impact on the early stages of lactation that affects the total lactation milk yield.

A Survey of Dairy Farms in Pennsylvania Using Minimal or Intensive Pasture Grazing Systems

AbstractA survey of Pennsylvania dairy farmers using (n = 77, PASTURE group) or not using (n = 70, CONFINED group) intensive grazing was conducted in November 1990. The questionnaire was mailed to 147 dairy farmers, of whom 64% responded. Final data analysis was performed on the 79 farms with <101 milking cows per farm. Some 58% of the PASTURE farmers had ≤5yr experience with intensive grazing. Farms in the PASTURE group were smaller than those in the CONFINED group (87 vs 133 ha) and in 1990 had less area in forage crops (35.3 vs 53.0 ha), but a greater area in pasture (19.8 vs 15.3 ha). The average herd size on the PASTURE farms was 52 cows compared with 67 cows on the CONFINED farms. Milking cows spent 191 ± 5 d grazing on the PASTURE farms, compared with 110 ± 15 d on the CONFINED properties (P<.001). Average milk shipped in 1989 was 369kg per cow less on the PASTURE farms than the CONFINED farms (7321 vs 7690kg per cow). The 1990 DHIA rolling herd average was 365kg per cow lower on the PASTURE farms than for the CONFINED herds (7655 vs 8020kg per cow). Differences in milk production in both years were not significant and were about 680kg per cow above the Pennsylvania state average. Indicators of herd health status and reproductive performance did not differ significantly between the two groups in 1990. Operating costs were lower ($78 per cow) in 1989 on the PASTURE farms than the CONFINED farms, but average feed costs for the two groups were similar ($617 vs $641 per cow). Variability in pasture yield, balancing cow rations when pastures were being grazed, and providing water to grazing animals were ranked as the most serious problems of pastures by the PASTURE dairy farmers. The highest problem rankings for the CONFINED group were insufficient pasture area, variability in pasture yield, and too few paddocks. The survey results highlight areas in which research is required and provide evidence that high levels of milk production in intensively grazed dairy herds can be obtained.

Characteristics of High-Producing Jersey Herds

One hundred seventy-eight Jersey herds enrolled in Dairy Herd Improvement Registry with average 305-day, 2X, mature equivalent production equal to or higher than 5,997kg of milk and/or 283kg of fat for 1987 responded to a survey designed to characterize feeding and management practices of high-producing Jersey herds. Mean Rolling Herd Averages were 6,252kg for milk, 298kg for fat, and 236kg for protein. Average days to first breeding were 77, services per conception were 1.8, days open averaged 103, calving interval averaged 12.8 mo, and days dry averaged 60. Ninety-nine percent of cows were sire identified, and the average Predicted Difference dollars of service sires was 137, which ranked in the 75th percentile. Artificial insemination was used at least 75% of the time in 98% of the cow herds and 80% of the heifer herds. Thirty percent of the herds used a microcomputer and used it most often for managing production records, ration balancing, and managing financial information. Twenty-five percent indicated they definitely or probably would use bovine somatotropin; 44% said they probably or definitely would not use it. Herds in the Western U.S. had significantly higher milk, fat, and protein production when compared to herds in the South, North-Central, and Northeast. Somatic cell counts were significantly higher in the Southern U.S.

The Effect of Herd Milk Production on Scoring Dairy Herd Improvement Performance Measures

Objectives of this research were to convert DHI performance measures into percentile scores based on expected values at a producer's rolling herd average and to compare performance with percentile scores based on means of all herds. Holstein herd data from the Minnesota Dairy Records Processing Center were used to derive regression coefficients to predict expected values of DHI management variables from three forms of rolling herd average 4% FCM. Variables were converted to percentiles using expected parameter value, assumption of normal distribution, and the mean square error of the prediction equation as an estimate of the variance.With some exceptions in reproductive categories, expected values for DHI performance measures at the mean rolling herd average were generally better than expected values in lower producing herds and worse than expected values in higher producing herds. Absolute values for the 75th percentile of performance measures based on the mean of all herds translated to percentiles of 54 to 82 when scoring was based on expected values at the 75th percentile of rolling herd average. Electronically importing DHI data and converting to percentiles based on rolling herd average allowed for comparison of DHI performance measures with similar rather than all herds.

Heifer feeding and management affect efficiency (1991)

Heifer feeding and management programs have a great impact on the efficiency of the future dairy herd. Dairies that feed and manage heifers for calving at about 24 mo of age are optimizing milk production, feed cost for raising heifers, number of replacement heifers available, and return on investment. Replacement heifers represent a considerable investment in labor and feed, with no return on that investment until they freshen. A summary of Kansas DHIA Holstein herds shows that some herds are receiving a good return on investment as early as 22 mo of age, whereas other herds are not reaping any return until 31 mo (Figure 1). The summary also shows that herds with heifers freshening at an average age of 24 to 25 mo have the highest Rolling Herd Averages for milk production.; Dairy Day, 1991, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 1991;

Bovine Abortion

A farm in the Midwest is experiencing problems with abortion. This farm is milking around 80 cows, raises its own heifers at another place, and has a rolling herd average of 16,000 pounds. Heifers are bred with a bull at the other farm and brought to the milking farm 4 - 5 weeks before freshening. These springers are housed in the same area as the dry cows until approximately one week before freshening. All cows are vaccinated with a multivalent vaccine for Leptospirosis, Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis, and P13 at the time of dry off. Milking cows are fed a total mixed ration of corn silage, haylage, and high moisture corn. Dry cows and springers are fed corn silage with hay or green chop, depending on the time of year.&#x0D; On May 1 an aborted calf approximately 120 days gestational age was found in the freestall area. On June 1, one heifer aborted 2 weeks before her calving date. On June 10 another heifer aborted. The veterinarian was called out and he submitted serum samples from both heifers to the diagnostic lab, results were negative. A dry cow aborted on June 15. The fresh fetus and placenta were carried, by the producer, to the diagnostic lab. It will be 2 weeks before results are available. Another heifer and a cow had late term abortions on June 17 and 18. Another cow in the low group aborted twins on June 21. Immediate action is called for but no diagnosis can be made from the laboratory findings.

Impact of Intensive Integrated Reproductive Management Education Programs upon Dairy Producers in Maryland

The objective was to determine if participants in an intensive dairy cattle reproduction workshop learned the desired knowledge and if the DHI management variables concerning herd reproductive efficiency were changed for participants. Sixteen workshops were held across Maryland in 1895 and 1986 for over 200 participants representing 171 herds. Knowledge tests were given at the conclusion of workshops to determine if producers had learned the desired material. The DHI records of participant herds from nine counties were evaluated. Days open, services per conception, days in milk at first service, calving interval, number of cows, percent days in milk, average days in milk, and rolling herd average were collected for each herd. Reproductive performance of participants’ herds was initially improved after the workshop. However, the benefits to workshop participation were transitory, demonstrating the need for continued educational programs. The primary benefit to producers of workshop participation was in the area of improved efficiency in detection of estrus. Producers were also able to learn the desired material, leading to the beneficial effects on herd reproductive efficiency. The need for further educational programs concerning reproduction in dairy cattle was demonstrated, especially in the areas of estrous detection efficiency, interpretation of DHI reproductive records, and retained placenta.

Evaluating DHI records with the dairy herd analyzer (1989)

A computer program was developed for analyzing DHI records to evaluate potential losses from 1) reproduction, 2) nutrition, 3) milk quality, and 4) genetics. Production-tested Kansas Holstein herds were grouped according to Rolling Herd Average (RHA), with the groups averaging 13,587, 15,988, 17,938 and 20,227 lb milk/cow/yr. Losses were directly related to RHA, amounting to $573, $426, $300, and $160/cow/yr, respectively. The Dairy Herd Improvement (DHI) program provides valuable information to dairy farmers for making feeding, breeding, and management decisions. Yet, the only economic information provided by the program is feed cost/cwt milk produced and income over feed cost. Hence, the Dairy Herd Analyzer (DHA) computer program was developed to evaluate economic losses in dairy herds, using information from the Herd Summary (DHIA-202) and Somatic Cell Count Report (DHIA-230). The program is intended to be used by dairy farmers, consultants, researchers, and Extension personnel.; Dairy Day, 1989, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 1989; The 1989 Annual KSU Dairy Day is known as Dairy Day, 1989

How I Motivate and Communicate with Clients in My Dairy Practice

This paper will deal specifically with the subject of motivating and communicating with personnel on large commercial dairy operations. The typical dairy in Arizona has capacity to milk 500 cows two or three times per day. One milks 4,000 head three times per day and currently averages 20,000 lb. milk according to DHIA rolling herd averages. The average dairyman raises his own replacements, purchases all his feed, runs a labor intensive, highly leveraged operation on less than 30 acres of land. Providing veterinary service to these types of herds requires motivating and communicating with several types of people on each operation. Applying people management skills to implement herd health programs is essential.

Adjusted Corrected Milk

Production medicine programs need a better yardstick. Production medicine programs need a basic unit of measurement. We need something precise, something as discrete as an inch, a fetal membrane slip, or a beta-hemolytic zone.&#x0D; It isn't that we don't have numbers. No, our OHi reports have plenty of numbers. We have rolling herd averages, standardized mature equivalents, and income over feed costs. We have heat detection indexes. That isn't the problem. The problem is that some of these numbers seem to lack immediacy, directness, and sometimes accuracy.&#x0D; My purpose here is not to belittle. Rather, I want to comment on using average milk production per day as a monitor of response to production medicine programs.

Reproductive characteristics of Kansas Holstein herds grouped by rolling herd average (1985)

Reproductive characteristics of Kansas Holstein herds grouped by rolling herd average (1985)

Comparison of AM-PM and DHI records (1985)

A comparison was made of the AM-PM production testing program with the traditional DHI program during 13 test periods of 1984 in the KSU Dairy Teaching and Research Center herd. Although there were slight variations in daily milk weights and percentages of fat and protein in milk, rolling herd averages were nearly identical. Individual 305-2X-M.E. milk and fat records also were compared for 107 cows using both testing programs. Differences between testing programs were minimal) as most records varied by less than 1%. Therefore, it was concluded that the AM-PM program is a very accurate production test.; Dairy Day, 1985, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 1985;

Effects of various feeding, breeding and management practices on milk production (1984)

The March 1984 DHI summary of Kansas Holstein herds shows some interesting correlations of various feeding, breeding, and management factors to production (Table 1). The Rolling Herd Average (RBA) is an excellent evaluation of the efficiency of dairy herds since RHA and income-over-feed-cost are closely related. Although income-over-feed-cost is not profit, it provides the income for paying the other costs of producing milk. The goal of every dairy producer should be to increase the RHA in order to improve profitability.; Dairy Day, 1984, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 1984

Repeatability of blood progesterone levels in embryo transfer recipients

This study involved 64 Holstein-sired crossbreds, 64 Brown Swiss-sired cross-breds, and 20 daughters of crossbred sires. These were compared to contemporary Holsteins. The females were sired by 24 Holstein and 18 Brown Swiss bulls selected from AI studs, and four crossbred sires produced in the herd. The mean deviations of crossbreds from the age-adjusted five-month rolling herd average of contemporary Holsteins were: -86, -498, and -1,173 kg of milk for Holstein-sired crosses, Brown Swiss-sired crosses, and daughters of crossbred sires, respectively. The purebred-sired crosses were significantly superior (P < 0.01) to daughters of crossbred sires; and Holstein-sired crosses were superior (P < 0.01) to Brown Swiss-sired crosses. The Holstein-sired crosses surpassed all other breed groups for yields of milk fat, solids-not-fat, protein, fat-corrected milk, and solids-corrected milk, but all groups produced similar yields of fat-corrected milk per unit body weight. The crosses were slightly higher than Holsteins in per cent protein and 0.45% higher in per cent milk fat and solids-not-fat. Differences among breed groups for length of lactation, persistency of lactation, and days carried calf were not important. Purebred-sired crossbreds had from 4 to 16% positive heterosis for milk yield, 0 to 7% for milk fat, and 1 to 10% for fat-corrected milk, but ranged from 1% above to 8% below the parental mean in per cent milk fat. Estimates of heterosis for three-breed crosses were higher than for two-breed crosses. Deviations from the parental mean for daughters of cross-bred sires were negative for all production traits.

Performance of Holstein and Crossbred Dairy Cattle in Louisiana. 1. First Lactation Production

This study involved 64 Holstein-sired crossbreds, 64 Brown Swiss-sired cross-breds, and 20 daughters of crossbred sires. These were compared to contemporary Holsteins. The females were sired by 24 Holstein and 18 Brown Swiss bulls selected from AI studs, and four crossbred sires produced in the herd. The mean deviations of crossbreds from the age-adjusted five-month rolling herd average of contemporary Holsteins were: -86, -498, and -1,173kg of milk for Holstein-sired crosses, Brown Swiss-sired crosses, and daughters of crossbred sires, respectively. The purebred-sired crosses were significantly superior (P<0.01) to daughters of crossbred sires; and Holstein-sired crosses were superior (P<0.01) to Brown Swiss-sired crosses. The Holstein-sired crosses surpassed all other breed groups for yields of milk fat, solids-not-fat, protein, fat-corrected milk, and solids-corrected milk, but all groups produced similar yields of fat-corrected milk per unit body weight. The crosses were slightly higher than Holsteins in per cent protein and 0.45% higher in per cent milk fat and solids-not-fat. Differences among breed groups for length of lactation, persistency of lactation, and days carried calf were not important. Purebred-sired crossbreds had from 4 to 16% positive heterosis for milk yield, 0 to 7% for milk fat, and 1 to 10% for fat-corrected milk, but ranged from 1% above to 8% below the parental mean in per cent milk fat. Estimates of heterosis for three-breed crosses were higher than for two-breed crosses. Deviations from the parental mean for daughters of cross-bred sires were negative for all production traits.