Livestock Studies 2000, Vol 40, Num, 1     (Pages: 039-047)

Financial Losses Due to Interfility in Dairy Herds

Cengiz YALÇIN 1

1 Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Hayvancılık Işletme Ekonomisi Anabilim Dalı-ANKARA - Controlling the herd fertility performance at the desired level is one of the most important factors determining the success of a dairy business. In this study, three criteria related to fertility performance, namely; age at first calving (IBY), calving interval (BA) and number of insemination per calving (GBTS) were evaluated to show their finacial effects using the data from 256 lactation of 126 cows which were bred in the Educational and Research Farm of A.Ü. Veterinary Faculty between 1988 and 1997.

In the period investigated, the herd average values for IBY, BA and GBTS were 863 days, 443 days and 2 semens respectively. Compared with the targets, these figures represent excesses of 133 days, 77 days and 0.3 semens respectively.

The financial losses due to 1 day delay from the targets of IBY and BA calculated to be 2.428.000 TL and 1.643.000 TL respectively. The total financial loss, which includes the losses from not attaining the target levels of the above mentioned three fertility performance factors during 1988 and 1997, to the herd were 57.365.254.000 TL. Keywords : Cows, infertility, financial losses