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Student Exercise in Milk Production Evaluation

Department of Animal Sciences
Computing Center, Washington State University, Pullman 99163²

ABSTRACT

Individual cow milk production data from simulated herds were used in a classroom exercise to illustrate variability of milk production within and among cows and to explain evaluation procedures for lactations in progress. Students entered data on Dairy Herd Improvement forms, and the Washington State University Computing Center processed the data in its standard program. The synthesis of dates calved and the pre- and postdating of test days in relation to class sessions, provided a 3-test-day study. Cows ranged from 61 to 91 days in lactation upon completion of the study. Four class sessions were required. The influence of test day, a comparison of official DHI and alternate AM-PM plans, and the effect of selection based upon a 1-day sampling of production were observed in problems assigned to pairs or trios of students. Amounts of feed required, feed cost, milk income, and early lactation reproduction phenomena were introduced to show computer capability. Herds of 12 cows were of sufficient size for illustration.