dhi workshop lesson 1

2/16/2011

1

DHI Record Analysis

Workshop

San Yuan Luhe

Feb. 2011 M. Rosen

[email protected]

DHI Record Analysis Workshop

Workshop Policy

• Pre-quiz

• Lecture and home work files: (send Email)

• Answers send to:

• [email protected]

• Final project


http://www.4shared.com/dir/JOto3J88/DHI_workshop_San_Yuan.html


Workshop programLESSON 1: The Big Picture

LESSON 2: Basic statistics

LESSON 3: Basic statistics manipulation with JMP

LESSON 4: Data reporting with AFIFARM

LESSON 5: Milk Production

LESSON 6: Reproduction

LESSON 7: Udder Health

LESSON 8: Culling & Replacements

LESSON 9: Transition cow analysis

LESSON 10: SAS and standard report production

LESSON 11: A Narrative Assessment and Action Plan for 金星金星金星金星farm

Practice will be done with中以中以中以中以Herd data - (exercises will be given in the end

of every lesson)

FINAL PROJECT - Final Narrative Assessment and Action Plan for your farm

Post-Quiz

Course Evaluation DHI Record Analysis Workshop

The Big Picture

M. Rosen


San Yuan Luhe Feb. 2011


What we are going

to learn today ?


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• The Big Picture Introduction - introduction to this lesson.

• Six Steps of Information Management - benefits of information

management and outlines the six steps of information

management

• Key Management Areas and Key Performance Indicators - Identify

key information to be used in herd analysis

• Benchmarks - definition of benchmarks, how they are used and

what type of numbers to use as benchmarks

• Bottlenecks - explanation of bottlenecks.

• Connecting the Key Management Areas and the Key Performance

Areas - indications for the role of the key performance indicators

and connects the key management areas with their specific key

performance area.

• Key Management Area #1 - Production - key performance indicator

for production, benchmark for milk per cow per day and example

demonstrating the value of milk per cow per day.


• Key Management Area #2 - Herd Lactation Status - a normal lactation curve, the diagnostic indicator for this area and benchmarks for the indicator.

• Key Management Area #3 - Reproduction - the key diagnostic indicator for reproductive problems, the benchmark and a comparison of lactation curves for cows with different calving intervals

• Management Area #4 - Udder Health - the key diagnostic indicator for udder health, the benchmark and production impact on operating above the benchmark

• Management Area #5 - Culling and Replacements - benchmark and

recommendations related to the rate of culling for a herd.

• In Summary - Using the Five Management Areas in a Systematic Approach to Diagnose Problems - a summary of the key management areas, key performance indicators and benchmarks and demonstrates how to use them in a systematic approach.

• Further analysis and development of an action plan - questions to be considered when completing the herd analysis,


Preface• It is easy to be overwhelmed with information,

numbers and data used in dairy management.

• With the increasing use of available technology, we can collect and access information on just about anything and in great detail.

• The purpose of this workshop is to assist you in identifying the important data and provide guidance in using the data to help you make management decisions to improve herd performance and ultimately, the profitability of dairy herd.


In this lesson we deal with:

• The six steps of information management as

applied to herd performance

• The "five key management areas" of herd

performance

• The "key performance indicators" for each

management area

• Benchmarks for each key indicator

• Bottlenecks to better herd performance


Why we need it ?

• A systematic approach to information management transforms records from an overwhelming pile of data to useful, decision-making or monitoring tools.

• Following the six steps of information management is important in evaluating herd performance as these steps help ensure that all data is handled in the same manner and that the key performance indicators are defined and calculated the same for all farms.


Information management steps

• By following these six steps, herds using DHI

records are able to compare their

performance with industry standards or

benchmarks.

• This provides herd managers some point of

reference as to how their herd is performing

compared to how similar herds are

performing.


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What are the benefits of information

management?

• Results are more predictable.

• You can make better decisions to increase

your computability and profitability.

DHI Record Analysis Workshop DHI Record Analysis Workshop

• Data Collection - This step includes the

observation, measuring and recording of data

and sets the basis for the entire process.

• Data must be accurate for information

management to be successful!


Step 1: Step 2:

• Data Organization - Data organization

provides a structure to the data so that all

data sets are handled in an identical manner.


Step 3:• Data Processing: Data processing involves

numerous calculations that turn raw numbers

into the key indicators we examine to evaluate

herd performance.

• DHI and other computerized recordkeeping

programs play a major role in these steps and

those that follow.

• If data is not properly organized and processed,

the information provided is useless.


Step 4:• Data Reporting: At this stage the DHI testing

center provides a report.

• Standardized definitions have been developed over time to explain the meaning of each number.

• However, each DHI testing center (world wide) provides their report in a different format.

• You will want to familiarize yourself with the report format of the data processing center that you use so you can locate information more easily.


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Step 5:• Data Integration: Data integration means

combining different types of data to gain

additional information.

• For instance, you can integrate financial and

production data to determine the financial

impact of herd performance.


Step 6:

• Data Utilization: Finally, you must use the

data as you make management decisions for

your herd.

• This is the focus of the DHI idea.


Management of a dairy herd focuses around these five

"Key Management Areas."


The performance of a herd in each of the management areas

can be quickly assessed using five "Key Performance

Indicators.”


• As we look at these key management areas

and key performance indicators, we will

explore the answers to the following

questions:

• Why are they important?

• Where are they located on the DHI Report*?

• How can these be used in analyzing herd

performance?


Benchmark • The dictionary defines a benchmark as:

• A "point of reference."

• It can be related to a:

• Goal

• Beginning point

• Minimum or maximum acceptable level.

• Benchmarks are goals set for profitable herds and are

generally based on performance by the "Top

Performers" in the industry.

• These can be indicators of the degree of your success

or failure.DHI Record Analysis Workshop

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• When using benchmarks we must be extremely cautious of using averages.

• To be successful and remain viable in the dairy industry, dairy producers must always set their goals to be above the average of the industry.

• As the industry grows, chances are that the operations achieving average or below average performance will be the ones that exit the business while those that are above average will survive and continue to thrive.

• So, be cautious of using industry averages as your benchmarks.


Benchmark San Yuan Benchmarks


Target valuesMain Production Group Persistency of Lactation

1st Lact: 50-200 DIM 32.5 1st Lact 88.2%

2nd Lact: 30-150 DIM 37.0 2nd Lact 78.7%3rd+ Lact: 30-150 DIM 36.3 3rd+ Lact 76.0%

Peak of Lactation (Kg) Milk Yield in Lactation (305d)

1st Lact 37.0 1st Lact 9,5802nd Lact 45.1 2nd Lact 10,7113rd+ Lact 44.3 3rd+ Lact 10,504

Time of Peak (mo.) Percent of Cows with LESS THAN 12 Kg at 305 d

1st Lact 3.4 1st Lact 7.8%2nd Lact 2.4 2nd Lact 8.4%

3rd+ Lact 2.3 3rd+ Lact 14.1%

Relation between Milk Yields in SUMMER (6-9) and WINTER (11-2)

Cows with less than 2.5% Fat in last DHI

Cows with more than 500,000 SCC in last DHI

1st Lact 96.7%

10% 9%2nd Lact 96.3%

3rd+ Lact 89.8%

Daniel Hojman 2008

Using benchmarks

• When using benchmarks we must be extremely cautious of using averages.

• To be successful and remain viable in the dairy industry, dairy producers must always set their goals to be above the average of the industry.

• As the industry grows, chances are that the operations achieving average or below average performance will be the ones that exit the business while those that are above average will survive and continue to thrive.

• Be cautious of using industry averages as your benchmarks !!!!!


Benchmark and average

• Another problem with averages is that they tell you little about the variability within the indicator you are examining.

• Two herds could have identical days-in-milk of 175 days.

• However, a herd that has many fresh cows and many cows that are long in lactation has more room to improve than a herd with all cows evenly distributed around the mean value of 175 days.

• In addition, in small herds, data from a few cows can affect the average which may provide an inaccurate picture of the real situation.


Reference points• If a point of reference is provided from outside

the operation you will want to ask questions to determine where the number originated.

• The manner in which the data were collected and managed before generating the benchmark may differ from the way your data are being handled.

• The data may be called one thing, but you may be using it as a comparison for something entirely different.

• This would be like the proverbial "comparing apples and oranges."


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Bottlenecks• Production systems are pipelines.

• The dairy business can be defined like any

other manufacturing business: a simple

production pipeline.

• Inputs go in one end and product comes out

the other end.

• When the production pipeline is functioning

properly, product flow is fast and efficient.


Bottlenecks• Sometimes bottlenecks occur in the

production pipeline.

• One or more segments of the pipeline may

not be working as smoothly.

• Work behind the bottleneck may be

proceeding at the desired pace, but once the

process hits the bottleneck, efficiency is lost

and profitability declines.


• There are often multiple bottlenecks in the

pipeline at one time.

• These bottlenecks will have varying impacts

on productivity.

• It is important to carefully study the situation

and determine which bottleneck is having the

greatest impact on productivity so it can be

removed first.


Bottlenecks• Then time and resources may be shifted to

other bottlenecks that are having less impact

on productivity.

• A bottleneck usually affects several

managements.

• For example, poor body condition or feeding

management can adversely affect production

and reproductive performance.


Bottlenecks

Performance indicators

• Performance indicators for dairy herds serve the same function as the warning light on the dashboard of a car.

• They indicate when there is a problem, but provide little detail about why or where the problem exists.

• However, if you choose to ignore the warning lights and continue driving the car you may suffer disastrous consequences.


• Once the "Check Engine" light appears, you take the car in for service so the trained professionals can identify and repair the problem.

• Then you can travel safely, once again.

• Monitor the key performance indicators of the five key management areas so you are aware when there is a problem and can look more closely to identify and correct the source.


Performance indicators

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In the remainder of this lesson we will

examine:

• the economic importance of each of these management areas

• where the performance indicators for these areas should be located on the standard DHI report.

• We will also provide an overview of each management area.

• Later lessons of the workshop will focus on these areas and provide much more detailed information about diagnostic indicators and potential sources of problems related to the specific indicators.


Key performance indicator

• The key performance indicator for production is Milk per Cow per Day!

• Benchmarks (by milking management, milking 2 or 3X per day):

• Herds milking 2X (twice daily) should be producing at a minimum of 25 kg/cow/day.

• Herds milking 3X (three times daily) should be producing at a minimum of 35 kg/cow/day.


What is the most important indicator

of herd productivity?

• What pays the bills for the dairy operation?

• Of course, it is production!

• The key to maximizing profitability in the dairy industry (or any industry) is to maximize production within the limits of the production system.

• The amount of milk a cow produces each day is what pays the bills.

•



Milk Production

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Stage of lactation

• This management area is the only one for which a later section is not dedicated since analysis is fairly simple and overlaps with some of the other management areas.

• Let's consider what happens if a herd is below or above the 175-180 day lactation.

• If herd DIM is greater than 185 - 200:

– Milk is being lost resulting in a significant reduction in productivity and income.


Stage of lactation

DIM greater than 185 - 200

• Look for problems associated with the

reproductive performance of the herd,

including:

– Factors affecting Heat Detection Rate (HDR)

– Factors affecting Conception Rate (CR)


• Correcting problems in these areas will reduce

the DIM for the herd.

• More information on reproductive

performance will be addressed in the lesson

on the reproduction management area.



DIM below 175

• First, consider other factors related to the herd?

• Seasonal herds or a small herd which contains some recently freshened cows will naturally have times when DIM are less than 175.

• If either of these are not the case, then look for problems associated with production around milk start-up, peak milk and/or persistency.

• These will be discussed in more detail in the section on the production management area.

•


• Use this formula to calculate annual lost

income when DIM > than 175 to 180:

• (Rolling average DIM - 175) X (# Cows Milking)

X (0.17) X (Milk Price/kg) X 365 days per year



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Stage of lactation


Pregnancy rate (PR).

• The key performance indicator for

reproduction is pregnancy rate (PR).

• The recommended benchmark for PR is > 20%.

• The key performance indicator of reproductive

performance is pregnancy rate (PR).

• Pregnancy rate refers to the percent of eligible

estrous cycles that result in a pregnancy over

a given period of time.


• In the past, a benchmark of 35% was often quoted by reproductive experts.

• The American national average is around 15%.

• To maintain the 13-13.5 - month calving interval recommended by experts, dairy producers must achieve a pregnancy rate greater than 20%.

• This is probably a more realistic goal.

• The pregnancy rate is calculated by multiplying the heat detection rate for the herd and the conception rate for the herd.

• PR = HDR X CR



• To achieve a pregnancy rate of 20%, your herds will need to have a 60% HDR or submission rate and at least a 35% CR.

• Note: The PR calculated in this manner is somewhat different than the 21-day pregnancy rate calculated more accurately with computer programs (AFIFARM).

• This will work well to monitor the reproductive performance of your herd.



Why is pregnancy rate important?

• Earlier you saw that decreases in milk

production occur in late lactation.

• It is important to rebreed the cow and

maintain shorter calving intervals to produce

as much milk as is possible in a set period of

time.


Calving interval

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Calving interval• This graph compares the lactation curves of

cows in their third lactation with different

calving intervals.

• One set of cows has a 12-month calving

interval while the other has a 15-month

calving interval.

• You can see that over time, more milk is

produced with the 12-month calving interval.


Reproductive summary


Somatic cell count (SCC)

• The key performance indicator for udder

health is the weighted somatic cell count

(SCC).

• The benchmark for somatic cell count is

200,000 cells per ml of milk.

• This should be the goal for your herd.


SCC greater than 200,000

• SCC greater than 200,000 indicates various levels of udder infection within a certain percentage of the herd.

• Udder infections reduce farm income by:– reducing milk yield

– altering milk composition

– increasing cull rates

– increasing veterinary expenses

• This warning signal indicates that you need to look more closely at possible sources of infection and how it is being spread.



Linear score LSCC

Linear Score SCC Range Midpoint

Milk Loss

kg per Day

kg per

Lactation Cycle

0 0 - 17,000 12,500 0

1 18,000 - 34,000 25,000 0

2 35,000 - 70,000 50,000 0

3 71,000 - 140,000 100,000 0.7 180.0

4 141,000 - 282,000 200,000 1.4 360.0

5 283,000 - 565,000 400,000 2.0 540.0

6 566,000 - 1,130,000 800,000 2.7 720.0

7 1,131,000 - 2,262,000 1,600,000 3.4 900.0

8 2,263,000 - 4,525,000 3,200,000 4.0 1080.0

9 Over 4,525,000 6,400,000 >4.7 >1260

• The table illustrates a second udder health monitoring parameter termed linear score; typically shown as somatic cell count score (sccs) on DHI reports.

• Linear score log transforms scc values to linear score and is proportional integers related to milk loss.

• You will notice the loss in milk production begins well below the benchmark - at levels as low as 71,000.

• It is impossible for a herd to have an SCC of 0.


Linear score

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Udder Health

• The udder health section will go into much

greater detail regarding how to determine the

cause of infection and recommended

management changes.


Udder Health Data

on the DHI Report


Cull rate


The key performance indicator for culling

and replacements is the cull rate.

The benchmark for the cull rate is 25-

35% in temperate climates and 30-

40% in warmer climates.

• The level of culling in an operation helps us evaluate overall cow management.

• Any of the problems mentioned in the other four management areas often contribute to high cull rates.

• High cull rates decrease profitability of the dairy operation by increasing costs associated with raising or acquiring replacements.

• Herds with high cull rates naturally require larger replacement herds.


Cull rate

• Management of those replacements

is important as a poor heifer program can also

reduce profitability by delaying the age at first

calving, reducing first lactation milk

production and creating other problems.

• Although there is no ideal cull rate, the most

profitable herds in the world have cull rates

between 25 and 35 percent.


Cull rate• Cull rates in this range enable cows to remain

in the herd 3 to 4 years.

• It is important to keep good records on why

and when cows are leaving the herd so you

can identify problems and develop solutions.

• This will keep cows productive and in the

herd, reducing cull rates.


Cull rate

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The impact of cull rates on fixed costs

Cull Rates 40% 30%

Years cows remain in the

herd2.5 3.3

Replacement heifers required

per cow0.8 0.6

Total fixed costs $1400 $1400

Fixed costs per cow $560 $420

• Increased cull rates lead to higher fixed costs.

• You can see, the herd with the 30% cull rate

has $140 less fixed costs per cow.

• This would translate to $14,000 in a 100-cow

herd.


Cull rate

Yearly summary of cull and

replacement rate


Lesson 1 Summary

• The five key management areas provide a "Big Picture" of how a herd is performing.

• We use the key performance indicators to compare the herd data to the benchmark data.

• If herd data for any of the key indicators is different from the benchmarks you will want to look for possible causes for reduced performance.


• As we go through more details in each of the

sections related to the specific management

areas you will learn more how to use the

system and will become more proficient at

analyzing herd performance using DHI

records.


Lesson Summarykey management indicators and the associated key

performance indicators and benchmarks


Key Management AreaKey Performance

IndicatorBenchmark

Production Milk per Cow per Day2X Milking = 25 kg.

3X Milking = 35 kg.

Herd Lactation Status Days in Milk (DIM) 175-180

Reproduction Pregnancy Rate (PR) >20%

Udder HealthSomatic Cell Count

(SCC)< 200,000 cells per ml

Culling & Replacements Cull Rate 25 - 35%

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Using a Systematic Approach

• Next slides diagrams and text define the

systematic approach recommended in this

workshop for evaluating herd performance.


Step #1: Look at

production data for the

herd. If milk per cow

per day is not where it

should be, proceed to

step#2.

Step #2: Check DIM for the herd. If

DIM is:

•close to 175-180 days, examine the

other production indicators of 150 day

standardized milk, milk trends, peak

and summit milk, peak phase milk and

milk starts. (We will go into greater

detail about these in the Production

section.)

•greater than 175-180 days, move on

to Step#3 to look at the reproduction

data.

35 kg milk/cow/day


Step # 3: Review

the pregnancy

rate. Is it within the

benchmark. If PR is:

within the

benchmark, look at

Udder Health.

outside the

benchmark, look at

heat detection and

conception rates to

see which one is

causing pregnancy

rate to be too

great. This will be

discussed in greater

detail in the section

on reproduction.

35 kg milk/cow/day


Step # 4: Let's look at the

udder health data. Udder

health can also have affect

production. If you still have

not found the bottleneck

limiting production, check

SCC. If this is above the

recommended level you

will want to also evaluate

early lactation, late

lactation, parity and

lactation groupings. These

will be covered in greater

detail in the Udder Health

section.


Step # 5: Finally, look at

the cull rate to see if your

culling and replacement rates

might be causing

the production

problem. We'll talk more

about contributors to culling

and replacement issues.

You must answer the following questions to

summarize herd performance and begin

developing an action plan for the herd.

1. How is the herd currently performing?

2. How has the herd performed in the past?

3. Is herd performance improving or worsening?

4. What is the most limiting bottleneck for the

herd?

5. How can you fix this bottleneck?

6. How can you determine whether the changes

made to fix the bottleneck are working?


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Conclusions • You will notice from these questions that today's herd

information provides only a portion of the picture.

• You must also have historical data to put this in proper perspective.

• Answering the first three questions related to the five management areas on a regular basis is necessary to identify small problems before they become large problems and result in lost production.

• This is also a proactive approach which will allow you to continually look for opportunities to improve herd performance.


Next timeWhat is StatisticsPopulations and samplesDescriptive and inferential statisticsTypes of numerical descriptive measuresMeasures of location ( or central tendency)Measures of data variationMeasures of relative standingCalculating some statistics from grouped dataDescriptive StatisticsMeasures of DispersionThe normal distributionData Types & Representation



dhi workshop lesson 1

Documents

key information

benchmark management

key performance indicators

key diagnostic indicator

specific key performance

dairy management

transition cow analysis

reproduction lesson