Effect of calving interval on the economic results of dairy farms based on their typology Anne-Catherine Dalcq* 1, Yves Beckers 1, Patrick Mayeres 2, Benoit Wyzen 2, Hélène Soyeurt 1 1 Université de Liège-Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Gembloux, Belgium, 2 Walloon Breeding Association, Ciney, Belgium

The calving interval is extending…

United States of America: 392  407 days from 1991 to 2002 (USDA, 2002)

The calving interval is extending… United States of America: 392  407 days from 1991 to 2002 (USDA, 2002) The Netherlands: 390  417 days from 1995 to 2012 (CRV, 2012)

The calving interval is extending… United States of America: 392  407 days from 1991 to 2002 (USDA, 2002) The Netherlands: 390  417 days from 1995 to 2012 (CRV, 2012) The Walloon Region (AWE, 2014) :

The calving interval is extending… United States of America: 392  407 days from 1991 to 2002 (USDA, 2002) The Netherlands: 390  417 days from 1995 to 2012 (CRV, 2012) The Walloon Region (AWE, 2014) :  Which impact on the economic results of the farm?

The calving interval is extending… United States of America: 392  407 days from 1991 to 2002 (USDA, 2002) The Netherlands: 390  417 days from 1995 to 2012 (CRV, 2012) The Walloon Region (AWE, 2014) :  Which impact on the economic results of the farm?  Which calving interval = current economic optimum?

Available data? balance sheets -Walloon Breeding Association farms  Geographical localisation : Région herbagère liégeoise

Available data? balance sheets -Walloon Breeding Association farms  Geographical localisation : Région herbagère liégeoise  Information per herd*year

Global approach Relation between gross margin/ cow and CI

Global approach Relation between gross margin/ cow and CI = total production (milk and meat) – variable costs (herd and feeding) = total production (milk and meat) – variable costs (herd and feeding)

Global approach Relation between gross margin/ cow and CI = total production (milk and meat) – variable costs (herd and feeding) = total production (milk and meat) – variable costs (herd and feeding)

Global approach Relation between gross margin/ cow and CI = total production (milk and meat) – variable costs (herd and feeding) = total production (milk and meat) – variable costs (herd and feeding) Not ONE economic optimum of CI  Several economic optimum of CI, depending on the farm?

Typological approach Study of the relation between the economic results and the CI in groups of farms showing the same typology

Which typology? Study of the relation between the economic results and the CI in groups of farms showing the same typology Typological variables

Which typology? Study of the relation between the economic results and the CI in groups of farms showing the same typology Ares of corn silage (CS)/ livestock unit (LU) Typological variables

Which typology? Study of the relation between the economic results and the CI in groups of farms showing the same typology Ares of corn silage (CS)/ livestock unit (LU) Ares of grass/ LU Typological variables

Which typology? Study of the relation between the economic results and the CI in groups of farms showing the same typology Ares of corn silage (CS)/ livestock unit (LU) Ares of grass/ LU Concentrate / cow Typological variables

Qualitative typological variables Which typology? Study of the relation between the economic results and the CI in groups of farms showing the same typology Ares of corn silage (CS)/ livestock unit (LU) Ares of grass/ LU Concentrate / cow Numerical classification

Creation of groups showing the same typology Study of the relation between the economic results and the CI in groups of farms showing the same typology Typological variables Qualitative typological variables 4 typological groups Multiple correspondence analysis

Description of the groups Study of the relation between the economic results and the CI in groups of farms showing the same typology Typological variables Qualitative typological variables 4 typological groups Multiple correspondence analysis

Description of the groups Study of the relation between the economic results and the CI in groups of farms showing the same typology Typological variables Qualitative typological variables 4 typological groups Multiple correspondence analysis

Description of the groups Study of the relation between the economic results and the CI in groups of farms showing the same typology Typological variables Qualitative typological variables 4 typological groups Multiple correspondence analysis

Description of the groups Study of the relation between the economic results and the CI in groups of farms showing the same typology Typological variables Qualitative typological variables 4 typological groups Multiple correspondence analysis

Typological variables Qualitative typological variables 4 typological groups Modelling economic results by CI Modelling in each group Study of the relation between the economic results and the CI in groups of farms showing the same typology

Modelling economic results in function of …  CI variables: -% cows in the herd with CI > 459 days organized in 4 classes Study of the relation between the economic results and the CI in groups of farms showing the same typology <17%18-26%27-37%>38%

Modelling economic results in function of …  CI variables: -CI profile organized in 5 classes determined by Numerical Classification on the variables Study of the relation between the economic results and the CI in groups of farms showing the same typology CI profile % of cows in the herd with CI < 380 days % of cows in the herd with 380 < CI < 419 days % of cows in the herd with 420 < CI < 459 days % of cows in the herd with CI > 459 days

Modelling economic results in function of …  CI variables: -CI profile organized in 5 classes determined by Numerical Classification on the variables Study of the relation between the economic results and the CI in groups of farms showing the same typology CI profileShort CI % of cows in the herd with CI < 380 days 52 % of cows in the herd with 380 < CI < 419 days 19 % of cows in the herd with 420 < CI < 459 days 9 % of cows in the herd with CI > 459 days 18

Modelling economic results in function of …  CI variables: -CI profile organized in 5 classes determined by Numerical Classification on the variables Study of the relation between the economic results and the CI in groups of farms showing the same typology CI profileShortLong CI % of cows in the herd with CI < 380 days 5228 % of cows in the herd with 380 < CI < 419 days 1917 % of cows in the herd with 420 < CI < 459 days 913 % of cows in the herd with CI > 459 days 1841

Modelling economic results in function of …  CI variables: -CI profile organized in 5 classes determined by Numerical Classification on the variables Study of the relation between the economic results and the CI in groups of farms showing the same typology CI profileShortInter. AInter. BInter. CLong CI % of cows in the herd with CI < 380 days % of cows in the herd with 380 < CI < 419 days % of cows in the herd with 420 < CI < 459 days % of cows in the herd with CI > 459 days

Milk production & calving interval -No significant relations between gross margin/ cow and CI variables Study of the relation between the economic results and the CI in groups of farms showing the same typology

Milk production & calving interval -No significant relations between gross margin/ cow and CI variables -Assumption : In a given group, economic results when milk production Study of the relation between the economic results and the CI in groups of farms showing the same typology

Milk production & calving interval -No significant relations between gross margin/ cow and CI variables -Assumption : In a given group, economic results when milk production Study of the relation between the economic results and the CI in groups of farms showing the same typology Pearson’s r : milk production/ cow & gross margin/ cow Intensive groupLess intensive group Intensive group without CS Extensive group 0.54***0.56***0.53***0.55***

Milk production in function of CI in EACH group Intensive groupLess intensive group a

Milk production in function of CI in EACH group Intensive groupLess intensive group a

Milk production in function of CI in EACH group Intensive groupLess intensive group a

Milk production in function of CI in EACH group Intensive groupExtensive group a

Milk production in function of CI in EACH group Intensive groupExtensive group a

Milk production in function of CI in EACH group Intensive group Intensive group without CS a

Milk production in function of CI in EACH group Intensive group Intensive group without CS a

Why ? Longer voluntary waiting period (10 weeks vs 6 weeks) = economically optimum under some conditions (Inchaisri et al., 2011):

Why ? Longer voluntary waiting period (10 weeks vs 6 weeks) = economically optimum under some conditions (Inchaisri et al., 2011): -No Holstein-Friesian breed In the dataset used : Intensive group Less intensive group Intensive group without CS Extensive group % herds in the group with Hostein as main breed

Why ? Longer voluntary waiting period (10 weeks vs 6 weeks) = economically optimum under some conditions (Inchaisri et al., 2011): -No Holstein-Friesian breed -Low herd milk production

Milk production in function of CI in EACH group Intensive groupExtensive group a

Why ? Longer voluntary waiting period (10 weeks vs 6 weeks) = economically optimum under some conditions (Inchaisri et al., 2011): -No Holstein-Friesian breed -Low herd milk production -High milk persistency

Why ? Longer voluntary waiting period (10 weeks vs 6 weeks) = economically optimum under some conditions (Inchaisri et al., 2011): -No Holstein-Friesian breed -Low herd milk production -High milk persistency Better persistency (670 days in milk (DIM)) for cows pasture fed (daily dietary intake 160 MJ of ME/cow) >< total mixed ration (TMR) fed (Grainger et al., 2009)

Limits on the current research and further analyses -Information per herd

Limits on the current research and further analyses -Information per herd  averaged information

Limits on the current research and further analyses -Information per herd  averaged information  low tendencies observed

Limits on the current research and further analyses -Information per herd  averaged information  low tendencies observed -Future research  information per cow

Limits on the current research and further analyses -Information per herd  averaged information  low tendencies observed -Future research  information per cow -explain the present results (persistency)

Limits on the current research and further analyses -Information per herd  averaged information  low tendencies observed -Future research  information per cow -explain the present results (persistency) -confirm the low tendencies observed

Limits on the current research and further analyses -Information per herd  averaged information  low tendencies observed -Future research  information per cow -explain the present results (persistency) -confirm the low tendencies observed  identify CI objectives for dairy farmers

Acknowledgments -Unit of Modelling and Development, Gx-ABT, Ulg -University of Liège -Walloon Breeding Association

Take home message Different technicoeconomic optimum of calving interval, depending on the typology Optimum of CI = Intensive: Short CIExtensive: Long CI