Economic assessment of Holstein-Friesian dairy cows of divergent Economic Breeding Index evaluated under seasonal calving pasture-based management

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the economic performance of 2 genetic groups (GG) of Holstein-Friesian dairy cows of divergent Economic Breeding Index (EBI), evaluated within 3 contrasting spring-calving pasture-based feeding treatments (FT). The study was a simulated economic appraisal, using the Moorepark Dairy Systems Model, a stochastic budgetary simulation model integrating biological data obtained from a 4-yr experiment conducted from 2013 to 2016. The 2 divergent GG were (1) high EBI representative of the top 5% nationally (elite) and (2) EBI representative of the national average (NA). The 3 FT were reflective of slight restriction to generous feeding. The elite GG had the lowest replacement rate, and therefore had lower replacement costs and an older and more productive parity structure. The elite GG consistently had higher sales of milk (on average +3% or +18,370 kg of milk) and milk solids (milk fat plus protein yield; +8.7% or +4,520 kg) compared with the NA GG across the 3 FT scenarios. Milk income was consequently greater for elite versus NA (on average +9.5% or +€21,489) cows. Livestock sales were greater (on average +13.2% or +€4,715) for NA compared with elite cows. Baseline net farm profit and net profit/ha at a base milk price of 29.5 cents per liter (3.3% protein and 3.6% fat) were on average €31,156, and €772 greater for elite compared with NA cows across the 3 FT. Greater profitability achieved with elite cows in each of the FT investigated demonstrated the adaptability of high-EBI cows across different levels of feeding intensities in seasonal pasture-based feeding systems. Sensitivity analysis of varying milk price and concentrate cost did not result in a reranking of GG for farm profit. This study clearly demonstrates the power of a suitably constructed genetic-selection index together with a well-considered breeding program to deliver genetics capable of favorable change to farm physical performance and profit over a relatively short duration.