Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-mkpzs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T11:15:29.841Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Modelling impacts of performance on the probability of reproducing, and thereby on productive lifespan, allow prediction of lifetime efficiency in dairy cows

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 August 2015

H. N. Phuong ,
P. Blavy ,
O. Martin ,
P. Schmidely  and
N. C. Friggens
H. N. Phuong*
Affiliation:
INRA, UMR 0791 Modélisation Systémique Appliquée aux Ruminants, F-75005Paris, France AgroParisTech, UMR 0791 Modélisation Systémique Appliquée aux Ruminants, F-75005Paris, France
P. Blavy
Affiliation:
INRA, UMR 0791 Modélisation Systémique Appliquée aux Ruminants, F-75005Paris, France AgroParisTech, UMR 0791 Modélisation Systémique Appliquée aux Ruminants, F-75005Paris, France
O. Martin
Affiliation:
INRA, UMR 0791 Modélisation Systémique Appliquée aux Ruminants, F-75005Paris, France AgroParisTech, UMR 0791 Modélisation Systémique Appliquée aux Ruminants, F-75005Paris, France
P. Schmidely
Affiliation:
INRA, UMR 0791 Modélisation Systémique Appliquée aux Ruminants, F-75005Paris, France AgroParisTech, UMR 0791 Modélisation Systémique Appliquée aux Ruminants, F-75005Paris, France
N. C. Friggens
Affiliation:
INRA, UMR 0791 Modélisation Systémique Appliquée aux Ruminants, F-75005Paris, France AgroParisTech, UMR 0791 Modélisation Systémique Appliquée aux Ruminants, F-75005Paris, France
*
†E-mail: hn.phuong@yahoo.com
Get access

Abstract

Reproductive success is a key component of lifetime efficiency – which is the ratio of energy in milk (MJ) to energy intake (MJ) over the lifespan, of cows. At the animal level, breeding and feeding management can substantially impact milk yield, body condition and energy balance of cows, which are known as major contributors to reproductive failure in dairy cattle. This study extended an existing lifetime performance model to incorporate the impacts that performance changes due to changing breeding and feeding strategies have on the probability of reproducing and thereby on the productive lifespan, and thus allow the prediction of a cow’s lifetime efficiency. The model is dynamic and stochastic, with an individual cow being the unit modelled and one day being the unit of time. To evaluate the model, data from a French study including Holstein and Normande cows fed high-concentrate diets and data from a Scottish study including Holstein cows selected for high and average genetic merit for fat plus protein that were fed high- v. low-concentrate diets were used. Generally, the model consistently simulated productive and reproductive performance of various genotypes of cows across feeding systems. In the French data, the model adequately simulated the reproductive performance of Holsteins but significantly under-predicted that of Normande cows. In the Scottish data, conception to first service was comparably simulated, whereas interval traits were slightly under-predicted. Selection for greater milk production impaired the reproductive performance and lifespan but not lifetime efficiency. The definition of lifetime efficiency used in this model did not include associated costs or herd-level effects. Further works should include such economic indicators to allow more accurate simulation of lifetime profitability in different production scenarios.

Keywords

dairy cowlifetime efficiencyproductive lifespanreproductionnutrient partitioning
Type
Research Article
Information
animal , Volume 10 , Issue 1 , January 2016 , pp. 106 - 116
Copyright
© The Animal Consortium 2015 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Albarrán-Portillo, B and Pollott, GE 2013. The relationship between fertility and lactation characteristics in Holstein cows on United Kingdom commercial dairy farms. Journal of Dairy Science 96, 635–646.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bell, MJ, Wall, E, Russell, G, Simm, G and Stott, AW 2011. The effect of improving cow productivity, fertility, and longevity on the global warming potential of dairy systems. Journal of Dairy Science 94, 3662–3678.Google Scholar
Bergez, JE, Chabrier, P, Gary, C, Jeuffroy, MH, Makowski, D, Quesnel, G, Ramat, E, Raynal, H, Rousse, N, Wallach, D, Debaeke, P, Durand, P, Duru, M, Dury, J, Faverdin, P, Gascuel-Odoux, C and Garcia, F 2013. An open platform to build, evaluate and simulate integrated models of farming and agro-ecosystems. Environmental Modelling and Software 39, 39–49.Google Scholar
Berry, DP, Bermingham, ML, Good, M and More, SJ 2011. Genetics of animal health and disease in cattle. Irish Veterinary Journal 64, 5.Google Scholar
Berry, DP, Buckley, F, Dillon, P, Evans, RD, Rath, M and Veerkamp, RF 2003. Genetic relationships among body condition score, body weight, milk yield, and fertility in dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 86, 2193–2204.Google Scholar
Blanc, F and Agabriel, J 2008. Modelling the reproductive efficiency in a beef cow herd: effect of calving date, bull exposure and body condition at calving on the calving–conception interval and calving distribution. The Journal of Agricultural Science 146, 143–161.Google Scholar
Blanc, F, Martin, GB and Bocquier, F 2001. Modelling reproduction in farm animals: a review. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 13, 337–353.Google Scholar
Blank, B, Schaub, D, Paulsen, HM and Rahmann, G 2012. Herd parameters in organic and conventional dairy farms and their role in greenhouse gas emissions from milk production. Tackling the Future Challenges of Organic Animal Husbandry. Proceedings of the 2nd OAHC (ed. G Rahmman and D Godinho), pp. 269–272. Hamburg/Trenthorst, Germany.Google Scholar
Brun-Lafleur, L, Cutullic, E, Faverdin, P, Delaby, L and Disenhaus, C 2013. An individual reproduction model sensitive to milk yield and body condition in Holstein dairy cows. Animal 7, 1332–1343.Google Scholar
Butler, ST, Pelton, SH and Butler, WR 2006. Energy balance, metabolic status, and the first postpartum ovarian follicle wave in cows administered propylene glycol. Journal of Dairy Science 89, 2938–2951.Google Scholar
Butler, WR 2000. Nutritional interactions with reproductive performance in dairy cattle. Animal Reproduction Science 60–61, 449–457.Google Scholar
Coffey, MP, Simm, G, Oldham, JD, Hill, WG and Brotherstone, S 2004. Genotype and diet effects on energy balance in the first three lactations of dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 87, 4318–4326.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
CRV 2014. Dutch cows excel in longevity. Retrieved December 4, 2014, from https://global.crv4all.com/aboutus/publications/highlights/79396/.Google Scholar
Cutullic, E, Delaby, L, Gallard, Y and Disenhaus, C 2011. Dairy cows’ reproductive response to feeding level differs according to the reproductive stage and the breed. Animal 5, 731–740.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Darwash, AO, Lamming, GE and Woolliams, JA 1997. Estimation of genetic variation in the interval from calving to postpartum ovulation of dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 80, 1227–1234.Google Scholar
Friggens, NC, Chagunda, MGG, Bjerring, M, Ridder, C, Hojsgaard, S and Larsen, T 2007. Estimating degree of mastitis from time-series measurements in milk: a test of a model based on lactate dehydrogenase measurements. Journal of Dairy Science 90, 5415–5427.Google Scholar
Friggens, NC, Disenhaus, C and Petit, HV 2010. Nutritional sub-fertility in the dairy cow: towards improved reproductive management through a better biological understanding. Animal 4, 1197–1213.Google Scholar
Garnsworthy, PC 2004. The environmental impact of fertility in dairy cows: a modelling approach to predict methane and ammonia emissions. Animal Feed Science and Technology 112, 211–223.Google Scholar
Hansen, M, Lund, MS, Pedersen, J and Christensen, LG 2004. Gestation length in Danish Holsteins has weak genetic associations with stillbirth, calving difficulty, and calf size. Livestock Production Science 91, 23–33.Google Scholar
Hare, E, Norman, HD and Wright, JR 2006. Survival rates and productive herd life of dairy cattle in the United States. Journal of Dairy Science 89, 3713–3720.Google Scholar
Hogeveen, H, Huijps, K and Lam, TJGM 2011. Economic aspects of mastitis: new developments. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 59, 16–23.Google Scholar
Horan, B, Mee, JF, O’Connor, P, Rath, M and Dillon, P 2005. The effect of strain of Holstein-Friesian cow and feeding system on postpartum ovarian function, animal production and conception rate to first service. Theriogenology 63, 950–971.Google Scholar
Inchaisri, C, Jorritsma, R, Vos, PL, van der Weijden, GC and Hogeveen, H 2010. Economic consequences of reproductive performance in dairy cattle. Theriogenology 74, 835–846.Google Scholar
Jones, BL 2005. The economic trade-offs between annual milk production and the productive lives of dairy cows. University of Wisconsin, Centre for Dairy Profitability.Google Scholar
Knaus, W 2009. Dairy cows trapped between performance demands and adaptability. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 89, 1107–1114.Google Scholar
Kuhn, MT, Hutchison, JL and Wiggans, GR 2006. Characterization of Holstein heifer fertility in the United States. Journal of Dairy Science 89, 4907–4920.Google Scholar
Leroy, JLMR, Van Soom, A, Opsomer, G, Goovaerts, IGF and Bols, PEJ 2008. Reduced fertility in high-yielding dairy cows: are the oocyte and embryo in danger? Part II. Mechanisms linking nutrition and reduced oocyte and embryo quality in high-yielding dairy cows. Reproduction in Domestic Animals 43, 623–632.Google Scholar
Löf, E, Gustafsson, H and Emanuelson, U 2012. Evaluation of two dairy herd reproductive performance indicators that are adjusted for voluntary waiting period. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 54, 5.Google Scholar
Lormore, MJ and Galligan, DT 2001. Economics of atypical lactation. Journal of Dairy Science 84, E212–E215.Google Scholar
Martin, O and Sauvant, D 2010. A teleonomic model describing performance (body, milk and intake) during growth and over repeated reproductive cycles throughout the lifespan of dairy cattle. 1. Trajectories of life function priorities and genetic scaling. Animal 4, 2048–2056.Google Scholar
McGowan, MR, Veerkamp, RF and Anderson, L 1996. Effects of genotype and feeding system on the reproductive performance of dairy cattle. Livestock Production Science 46, 33–40.Google Scholar
McNeill, RE, Diskin, MG, Seenan, JM and Morris, DG 2006. Associations between milk progesterone concentration on different days and with embryo survival during the early luteal phase in dairy cows. Theriogenology 65, 1435–1441.Google Scholar
Oltenacu, PA and Algers, B 2005. Selection for increased production and the welfare of dairy cows: are new breeding goals needed? Ambio 34, 4–5.Google Scholar
Pedernera, M, García, SC, Horagadoga, A, Barchia, I and Fulkerson, WJ 2008. Energy balance and reproduction on dairy cows fed to achieve low or high milk production on a pasture-based system. Journal of Dairy Science 91, 3896–3907.Google Scholar
Phuong, HN, Martin, O, de Boer, IJM, Ingvartsen, KL, Schmidely, P and Friggens, NC 2015. Deriving estimates of individual variability in genetic potentials of performance traits for 3 dairy breeds, using a model of lifetime nutrient partitioning. Journal of Dairy Science 98, 618–632.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pritchard, T, Coffey, MP, Mrode, R and Wall, E 2013. Understanding the genetics of survival in dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 96, 3296–3309.Google Scholar
Pryce, JE, Coffey, MP and Simm, G 2001. The relationship between body condition score and reproductive performance. Journal of Dairy Science 84, 1508–1515.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pryce, JE, Nielsen, BL, Veerkamp, RF and Simm, G 1999. Genotype and feeding system effects and interactions for health and fertility traits in dairy cattle. Livestock Production Science 57, 193–201.Google Scholar
R Development Core Team 2015. The GNU Project. The R Project for Statistical Computing. Retrieved May 4, 2015, from http://www.rproject.org/ Google Scholar
Seegers, H, Beaudeau, F, Fourichon, C and Bareille, N 1998. Reasons for culling in French Holstein cows. Preventive Veterinary Medicine 36, 257–271.Google Scholar
Senatore, EM, Butler, WR and Oltenacu, PA 2010. Relationships between energy balance and post-partum ovarian activity and fertility in first lactation dairy cows. Animal Science 62, 17–23.Google Scholar
Spicer, LJ 2001. Leptin: a possible metabolic signal affecting reproduction. Domestic Animal Endocrinology 21, 251–270.Google Scholar
Spicer, LJ, Alpizar, E and Echternkamp, SE 1993. Effects of insulin, insulin-like growth factor I, and gonadotropins on bovine granulosa cell proliferation, progesterone production, estradiol production, and (or) insulin-like growth factor I production in vitro. Journal of Animal Science 71, 1232–1241.Google Scholar
VandeHaar, MJ 2014. Feeding and breeding for a more efficient cow. WCDS Advances in Dairy Technology 26, 17–30.Google Scholar
VandeHaar, MJ and St-Pierre, N 2006. Major advances in nutrition: relevance to the sustainability of the dairy industry. Journal of Dairy Science 89, 1280–1291.Google Scholar
Wall, E 2008. Genetic and environmental effects on fitness traits in dairy cattle. EAAP Meeting, Vilnius. Retrieved November 15, 2014, from http://www.eaap.org/Previous_Annual_Meetings/2008Vilnius/Papers/published/26_Wall.pdf Google Scholar
Walsh, S, Buckley, F, Pierce, K, Byrne, N, Patton, J and Dillon, P 2008. Effects of breed and feeding system on milk production, body weight, body condition score, reproductive performance, and postpartum ovarian function. Journal of Dairy Science 91, 4401–4413.Google Scholar
Wiltbank, M, Lopez, H, Sartori, R, Sangsritavong, S and Gümen, A 2006. Changes in reproductive physiology of lactating dairy cows due to elevated steroid metabolism. Theriogenology 65, 17–29.Google Scholar
Wright, IA, Rhind, SM, Whyte, TK and Smith, AJ 1992. Effects of body condition at calving and feeding level after calving on LH profiles and the duration of the post-partum anoestrous period in beef cows. Animal Science 55, 41–46.Google Scholar
Yániz, J, López-Gatius, F, Bech-Sàbat, G, García-Ispierto, I, Serrano, B and Santolaria, P 2008. Relationships between milk production, ovarian function and fertility in high-producing dairy herds in north-eastern Spain. Reproduction in Domestic Animals 43, 38–43.Google Scholar