Contribution of the calving interval to dairy farm profitability: results of a cluster analysis of FADN data for a major milk production area in southern Italy
Resumen
In this study we investigated the potential economic impact of good management of the calving interval on dairy farms. This involved the assessment of economics and production of a sample of farms, selected from the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN), and located in Sardinia, Italy. Two farm models were derived from clustering the sample by k-means, which were validated by verifying their consistency in relation to nutritional needs, feed supply and milk production of the herds. Differences in indices of performance and dynamics were found (e.g. ROE is -0.8% vs 4.7%), with evident linkages between economic performance, greater efficiency, reproductive capacity, and potential turnover. The model better performing reflected greater economic feeding efficiency and a shorter calving interval. Hence, management, more than structural aspects, determined the economic results of the sampled farms.Descargas
Citas
Andemberg M, 1973. Cluster analysis for applications. Academic Press, NY.
Arbel R, Bigun Y, Ezra E, Sturman H, Hojman D, 2001. The effect of extended calving intervals in high lactating cows on milk production and profitability. J Dairy Sci 84(3): 600-608. http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(01)74513-4
Bertilsson J, Berglund B, Ratnayake G, Svennersten-Sjaunja K, Wiktorsson H, 1997. Optimising lactation cycles for the high-yielding dairy cow. A European perspective. Livest Prod Sci 50: 5-13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0301-6226(97)00068-7
Everitt BS, 1979. Unresolved problems in cluster analysis. Biometrics 35(1): 169-181. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/2529943
Halasa T, Nielen M, Werven TV, Hogeveen H, 2010. A simulation model to calculate costs and benefits of dry period interventions in dairy cattle. Livest Sci 129: 80-87. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2010.01.009
Hansson H, Öhlmér B, 2008. The effect of operational managerial practices on economic, technical and allocative efficiency at Swedish dairy farms. Livest Sci 118(1): 34-43. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2008.01.013
Hartigan JA, 1975. Clustering algorithms. Wiley, NY.
Jarrige R, 1988. Alimentation des bovins, ovins et caprins. INRA, Paris.
Johnson S, 1967. Hierarchical clustering schemes. Psychometrika 32(3): 241-254. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02289588 PMid:5234703
Piccioni M, 1989. Dizionario degli alimenti per il bestiame. Edizioni Agricole Calderini s.r.l., Bologna.
Sanz A, Bernués A, Villalba D, Casasús I, Revilla R, 2004. Influence of management and nutrition on postpartum interval in Brown Swiss and Pirenaica cows. Livest Prod Sci 86(1–3): 179-191. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0301-6226(03)00165-9
Sørensen JT, Østergaard S, 2003. Economic consequences of postponed first insemination of cows in a dairy cattle herd. Livest Prod Sci 2-3: 145–153. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0301-6226(02)00150-1
Stoddard AM, 1979. Standardization of measures prior to cluster analysis. Biometrics 35(4): 765-773. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/2530108 PMid:316712
Wolter R, 1994. Alimentation de la vache laitiere. EDA, Paris.
Woolridge JR, Gray G, 2006 Applied principles of finance. Kendall Hunt Publ., Dubuque, IA, USA.
© CSIC. Los originales publicados en las ediciones impresa y electrónica de esta Revista son propiedad del Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, siendo necesario citar la procedencia en cualquier reproducción parcial o total.
Salvo indicación contraria, todos los contenidos de la edición electrónica se distribuyen bajo una licencia de uso y distribución “Creative Commons Reconocimiento 4.0 Internacional ” (CC BY 4.0). Consulte la versión informativa y el texto legal de la licencia. Esta circunstancia ha de hacerse constar expresamente de esta forma cuando sea necesario.
No se autoriza el depósito en repositorios, páginas web personales o similares de cualquier otra versión distinta a la publicada por el editor.
