Net-revenues of rebreeding policies that differed in the maximum allowable days after calving for breeding were compared using data generated by a dynamic stochastic simulation model of Ontario dairy herds. Such comparisons benefit farmer decision support, as rebreeding decisions are important management choices. Rebreeding up to 168 d after calving only was least optimal. Hence, the rebreeding period should not be too short. At average and high herd fertility, a rebreeding policy under which cows with a mature equivalent milk production level lower than 80%, between 80 and 100%, and greater than 100% of the herd average were not rebred, bred up to 168 d after calving, and bred up to 250 d after calving, respectively, resulted in higher net-revenue than rebreeding policies that used a single cut-off for all cows. Differences in net-revenue between the optimal and the least optimal policy were $217.90 and $114.40 per cow per year for the lowest and highest simulated reproductive performance, respectively. At low herd fertility, rebreeding up to 364 d postpartum was optimal. However, at this level of performance emphasis should be given to improving fertility, rather than choice of rebreeding policy.
CITATION STYLE
Plaizier, J. C. B., King, G. J., Dekkers, J. C. M., & Lissemore, K. (1997). Comparison of rebreeding policies for Ontario dairy herds. Canadian Journal of Animal Science, 77(4), 585–591. https://doi.org/10.4141/A96-140
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