Implications of on-farm segregation for valuable milk characteristics

Selection and segregation of herds for a valuable milk trait

“…This was part of a comprehensive farm systems model designed to explore on-farm milk selection and segregation scenarios (Dooley et al, 2005). The breeding sub-model was used to explore the genetic effects of selecting and segregating for specified milk traits, using milk fat colour as an example.…”

“…The loss in protein income per kilogram of milk solids was more than twice the gain in milk fat income. The impact of milk solids concentration on transport costs (Dooley et al, 2005), and hence milk solids income, was small.…”

“…Long timeframes to affect the quantum of change required increases the risk of substitute technologies being developed, changes in consumer preference occurring, or the premium being altered. Further, any reduction in production needs to be considered in evaluating the benefits and costs of on-farm milk production (Dooley et al, 2005).…”

“…Herd production and milk fat colour over lactation Production per cow and changes in milk fat colour over lactation for cows in each herd (white milk and yellow milk) were incorporated into a farm systems model (Dooley et al, 2005) that considered cow feed requirements (for maintenance, milk production, pregnancy and growth), calving, culling and dryingoff patterns, and feed availability and energy content. Feed availability and cow requirements dictated stocking rate as well as herd milk production over the season.…”

“…Opportunities to modify milk also exist through the use of new genetic and reproductive technologies (Karatzas and Turner, 1997;Cunningham, 1999;Visscher et al, 1998;Wells et al, 1998;L'Huillier, 1999;Wall, 1999) and by the trading of cows and sires with known milk components. A price premium will be required to compensate for costs associated with production, storage, transport (Dooley et al, 2005) and the processing of segregated milks.…”