The stochastic modeling to estimate the economic consequences of reproductive performance in dairy cattle

The net economic value of reproductive efficiency in dairy cattle was estimated using a stochastic dynamic simulation model. The objective was to compare the net economic consequences of realistic reproductive performance scenarios with an imaginary excellent reproductive performance in individual dairy cows. The average net economic losses (NEL_i) were €28, €88 and €282 per cow per year and the costs for decreased milk production were accounted on average for 93%, 82% and 45% of the total net economic losses for the good, average and poor reproductive performance scenario, respectively. The cost for culling was the second largest cost factor particularly important for the poor reproductive performance scenario. Conception and estrus detection appeared to have the largest economic effect.