Authors : Jun Chen, Yachun Wang, Yi Zhang, Dongxiao Sun and Yuan Zhang
Abstract: Bio-economic profit models were used on Chinese Holstein production system to evaluate economic values for production traits Milk Yield (MY), Fat Percentage (FP), Protein Percentage (PP)) growth traits Mature Live Weight (LW) and functional traits Age at First Calving (AFC), Calving Interval (CI), Production Lifetime (PL) and Somatic Cell Count (SCC) traits. Economic and production parameters were derived from large scale dairy farms located in Beijing in 2008 to characterize Chinese Holstein production system, which were described according to their growth stage and levels of feed and management environment. Revenue and cost were calculated according to different age group in dairy production. With a fixed number of cows per herd as a basis of evaluation, two milk payment systems were considered. Under payment system based on milk volume, estimated economic values were RMB 1.99 (MY, kg),-4.72 (PP, %), -8.00 (FP,%), 0 (SCC), -4.96 (AFC, days), 1.71 (CI, days), -2.73 (LW, kg) and 1.58 (PL, days), respectively. Under payment system based on milk composition and quality (fat percentage, Protein Percentage, SCC), changes in the economic values were only observed for PP (64.21), FP (41.24), SCC (-393.88), respectively. Sensitivity of economic values was studied, factors considered included the price of milk, price of beef, price of feed and other production variables. Economic values of MY, PP and FP increased significantly with higher price of milk and the beef price had no effect on the economic values of milk production traits. With higher feed price, the economic value for the grow traits and functional traits increased, but that for milk production traits decreased. In summary, evaluated economical value for different traits showed that production and functional traits would have a positive effect, while growth traits would have a negative effect on profitability of Chinese Holstein production system and price of milk and feed were identified as the main factors influencing profit. The bio-economic profit model constructed for Chinese Holstein breeding system could provide general ideas for breeding goals setting in Chinese dairy breeding system in the future.
Jun Chen, Yachun Wang, Yi Zhang, Dongxiao Sun and Yuan Zhang, 2009. Estimation of Economic Values for Production and Functional Traits in Chinese Holstein. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 8: 2125-2132.