How do herd’s genetic level and milk quality affect performance of dairy farms?  

Abstract

The effects of genetic level and output quality characteristics on technical efficiency (TE) of dairy farms were studied. The average total relative breeding value (RBV) at herd level was considered a parameter of the genetic level and production potential of the main input (dairy cows), while somatic cell count (SCC) and milk composition characterise the quality of the main output (milk) of dairy farms. The analysis was carried out in two stages: data envelopment analysis was used in the first stage and fractional regression model in the second stage, combining the data collected by the Estonian Farm Accountancy Data Network with the data from the Estonian Livestock Performance Recording Ltd. The results showed that the TE of fully efficient dairy farms is positively affected by the total RBV (P < 0.05), number of dairy cows in the herd (P < 0.05), and negatively affected by the SCC (P < 0.001) and costs of purchased feed per kg of produced milk (P < 0.01). Among the inefficient farms, the TE was positively affected by the lifetime daily milk yield (P < 0.05), and average milk fat (P < 0.1) and protein (P < 0.05) contents. The results confirm our hypothesis that the genetic level of dairy herd and milk quality have a positive effect on the TE of dairy farms.

Measurement and Evaluation of the Efficiency and Total Productivity of Dairy Farms in Poland

“…The group of effective farms uses less labor and agricultural land per dairy cow. Luik-Lindsaar et al [35] also prove that the technical efficiency of Estonian dairy farms was influenced by the following factors: higher total relative breeding value, shorter lifetime of the cow, higher lifetime productivity, better milk hygiene (lower somatic cell count), number of dairy cows, and the cost of purchased feed. Michaličková et al [36], assessing the technical efficiency of milk production in Slovakia and its determinants, proved that feed costs have a negative impact on the efficiency of milk production.…”

Genetic Variation and Composition of Two Commercial Estonian Dairy Cattle Breeds Assessed by SNP Data

“…In addition to the decrease in the number of animals, other significant changes have taken place in the Estonian dairy sector during the last two decades. There has been a large decrease in the number of small-scale farms, and at present, the majority of cows are kept Animals 2024, 14, 1101 2 of 13 in herds of >300 animals, which is in line with more efficient husbandry as herd size has a positive impact on efficiency [4,5]. However, the number of dairy herds in milk recording nationally has decreased from 3211 in 2000 to 351, currently comprising 80,341 dairy cows, of which 97.0% are included in national dairy performance recording.…”