A system dynamics approach for dairy herd modeling considering fixed-term artificial insemination scenario

Abstract

Objective: To design and develop a continuous simulation model based on System Dynamics to analyze reproductive parameters considering artificial insemination and reproductive policies aimed at sustainability in a dairy herd. Methodology: The procedure is classified into four stages: (I) Analysis of the behavior of the dairy herd and definition of the problem, (II) Description of processes and contextualization of a model, (III) Generation of the preliminary model, verification, validation and (IV) Analysis of results. Results: It was shown that using simulation tools it is possible to model the processes within the dairy herd. The effective detections of periods of heat constitute a determining factor in the application of policies of artificial insemination and in general in the sustainability of the herd. Therefore, using a reproductive biotechnology protocol, such as heat synchronization and fixed-term artificial insemination, are policies that mitigate the problems associated with reproductive problems. Conclusions: The use of system dynamics allowed us to have a holistic approach to the problem considering all the relevant variables to evaluate improvement policies. The model presented in the development of the research allowed evaluating different policies associated with animal management, meat exploitation in dry cows, and policies of continuous review on situations associated with the efficiency in the identification of cows in heat.