‘Jersey – The Most Profitable and Sustainable Cow?’ – Literature Review for Jersey Australia
8. Lifetime production efficiency Key points: Many factors related to the milking herd and the replacement herd contribute to lifetime production efficiency of a whole herd Jerseys have demonstrated advantages in grazing systems, longevity, productive life, calving ease, reproduction, heat stress and hybrid vigour contribution. However, Holsteins offer different various benefits in each production system A modelling approach may therefore be more appropriate and useful when comparing lifetime efficiency of Jerseys and Holsteins within a given production system At a herd level, considering all animals on a farm, there are many factors which contribute to lifetime production efficiency, as expressed as the percentage of total megajoules of metabolisable energy eaten that is used for productive purposes i.e. producing milk (Figure 22). Improved performance in any of these factors will therefore help to improve lifetime production efficiency. For example, considering the number of lactations per cow, Garnsworthy (2014) calculated that if a cow that had completed three lactations went on to complete a fourth lactation, its lifetime energetic efficiency (NE milk/ ME intake) was increased by 8%. Of course, improved performance in any of these factors will also help to reduce a herd’s environmental footprint with respect to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (DeVries et al., 2020). Reductions in water use and nitrogen use may also be realised.
Figure 22. Lifetime production efficiency of the whole herd (inc. young stock). [Little, 2014]. One of the earliest farmlet studies that compared the performance of Holsteins and Jerseys conducted in New Zealand was reported by Grainger and Goddard (2004). First year results suggested that net income was greater for Jerseys, but in later years of the study the results showed that Holsteins were the more profitable breed. Numerous comparative breed studies in Ireland have been reported since and while each breed has its benefits, the lifetime efficiency and most profitable breed is often in dispute depending upon production system (confinement or grazing), stocking rate, season, milk prices, etc. [Prendiville et al., 2009; Coffey et al., 2016]. Nevertheless, many of these studies show the heterosis benefit of the Holstein X Jersey crossbred [Prendiville et al., 2009; Coffey et al., 2016]. The efficiency and profitability of Holstein and Jersey cows has been scrutinized, compared, and debated for many years. Carstensen (2013) reviewed the literature of numerous studies relating to Holstein and Jersey efficiency and profitability to determine if a breed advantage existed in any or all related areas. Jerseys were found to demonstrate breed advantages in grazing systems, longevity, productive life, calving ease, reproduction, heat stress under normal +
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Prepared by Dr Steve Little, Capacity Ag Consulting, 1 November 2021
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