Author(s): Miroslav Záhradník, Ján Pokrivčák
Title: Using decision support tool for dairy farm management to assess the economic impact of various feeding scenarios
Source: International Scientific Days 2016. The Agri-Food Value Chain: Challenges for Natural Resources Management and Society
Document Type: Scientific paper
ISBN: 978-80-552-1503-
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15414/isd2016.s12.13
Publisher: Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra
PY, pages: 2016, 1009-1013
Published on-line: 2016-06-24
Language: eng
Abstract: This paper describes the computer implementation of the decision-making support for dairy operation management. It also aims to improve interpreting the potential impacts of different management decisions on key variables as well as trade-offs, which influence decisions taken at the farm and the feed component level. A baseline, potential management decision scenarios were evaluated and compared as alternative ways of managing the feed requirements of dairy operation. The web-based application EkonMOD milk tool was used to examine the relevant association on the farm-level and to calculate the economic consequences. The purpose of the EkonMOD milk application is to assist dairy farms managers and to better understand the dynamics of the dairy herd structure and to improve economically sensible decision-making abilities in Slovak conditions. Feed requirements accounts for 40 % to 70 % of the cost of raising replacement heifers and is generally the greatest expense for milk production. There are several key decision-making levels related to calculating of income over feed cost (IOFC). In order to make this process user friendly, a web-based tool will calculate actual feed costs and amount of feeds per cow per day, daily income from one cow, concentrate feed used to produce 1 kg of milk, yearly IOFC, and allow the comparison. The sensitivity analysis will identify the uncoordinated one in terms of economic returns and key production impacts. The study's findings contribute to the understanding of animal production management routines and consequent economic impacts on dairy operation.
Keywords: dairy, management, feed costs, IOFC, decision tool
JEL Classification: Q120
Rights: Open Access :: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Licence
Toto dielo je publikované pod/This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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