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Management Factors Associated with Herd Average Milk Yield and Income over Feed Cost in Guernsey, Holstein, and Jersey Herds¹

Department of Dairy Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg 24061

ABSTRACT

A total of 1,380 Guernsey, 13,614 Holstein, and 804 Jersey Dairy Herd Improvement yearly herd average records from eight eastern and southeastern states completed between 1965 and 1970 were utilized to determine the effect of various management factors on herd average milk production and income over feed costs. Independent variables when income over feed costs was the dependent variable were milk production, milk price, fat percent, percent days in milk, feed costs per 45.4 kg milk, concentrates fed, succulents fed, dry forage fed, days on pasture, grain price, other feed costs, and herd size. Independent variables included when milk production was the dependent variable were concentrates fed, succulents fed, dry forages fed, percent days in milk, price of grain, other feed costs, price of milk, herd size, and days on pasture.

The complete model including quadratic effects accounted for 41 to 48% of the variation in herd average milk production and 99% of the variation in income over feed costs. Concentrate feeding, percent days in milk, grain costs, and other feed costs were major management factors associated with herd average milk production. Quadratic effects of concentrate feeding and percent days in milk were significant. Milk price and milk production were positively associated with income over feed costs while feed costs per 45.4 kg milk, grain prices, and other feed costs were negatively related to this economic measure of herd management.

¹ Supported in part by a grant from the Virginia Agricultural Foundation.

² Present address: Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania 17815.