@article {3672,
	title = {Genetic evaluation for farm profitability in a commercial grazing dairy herd of Uruguay},
	journal = {New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production},
	volume = {80},
	year = {2020},
	month = {09/2020},
	pages = {55-59},
	address = {Online},
	abstract = {The objective of this study was to develop a genetic evaluation model for farm profitability in a seasonally calving pasture-based
dairy herd in Uruguay using crossbred cows. Total lactation yields of milk (MILK), fat (FAT) and protein (PROT) were calculated
for each cow-lactation using the test-interval method. Somatic cell score (SCS) was calculated as the average of log2 (somatic cell
count) for each cow-lactation. Mating records were used to calculate days from start of mating to conception (SMCO). Cow live
weight (LWT) was recorded once per lactation. Cows were scored annually for udder depth (UD), udder support (US), front and
rear teat placement (FT and RT). In total there were 4,081 lactations from 2,371 cows recorded from 2015 to 2017. The cows were
the progeny of 97 sires. Breeding values (BV) for MILK, FAT, PROT, LWT, SMCO, SCS, UD, US, FT and RT were estimated
with a multi-trait repeatability animal model that included the fixed effects of contemporary group (year-lactation number) and
deviation from median calving date, and the random effects of animal, cow permanent and residual error. Estimates of BVs for
these traits were combined in a selection index to rank cows for farm profitability. The index was calculated as I= {\textendash}0.074{\texttimes}BVMILK
+2.13{\texttimes}BVFAT +7.25{\texttimes}BVPROT {\textendash}1.48{\texttimes}BVLWT {\textendash}3.60{\texttimes}BVSMCO {\textendash}36.84{\texttimes}BVSCS +30.86{\texttimes}BVUD +19.67{\texttimes}BVUS +21.10{\texttimes}BVFT +20.07{\texttimes}BVRT.
The index has been used to select the best cows as mothers of future replacements, cull the cows with the lowest selection index
value, and for the selection and culling of heifer replacements.
Keywords: genetic evaluation; genetic parameters; selection index; Uruguay},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Laborde D and Lopez-villalobos N}
}
@conference {69532,
	title = {Blood metabolic profiles in Uruguayan Holstein and Uruguan Holstein x New Zealand Holstein-Friesian dairy cows},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {70},
	year = {2010},
	month = {Jun},
	pages = {311-315},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Palmerston North},
	abstract = {Blood metabolic profiles were determined from 40 days prepartum to 60 days postpartum in Uruguayan Holstein (UH) (n = 13) and UH x New Zealand Holstein-Friesian first cross (UH-NZHF) (n = 13) cows with seven in each group experiencing their second lactation (L2) and six experiencing their third lactation (L3). Non-esterified fatty acids increased around calving and tended to be greater in UH-L3 cows as well as betahydroxybutyrate concentrations for 20 days after calving, consistent with the greater body condition score losses in this group. The UH cows had greater prepartum total protein concentrations than UH-NZHF cows. Concentrations decreased around calving and increased immediately thereafter. In UH-NZHF-L2 cows, total protein levels were consistently low throughout lactation. UH-NZHF L3 cows had greater albumin concentrations than UH L3 cows. Insulin concentrations were not affected by strain or lactation number and were diminished around calving. A similar pattern was found for IGF-1, although an interaction between strain and days-in-milk was found. Compared to UH cows, UH-NZHF cows had greater levels of IGF-1 at 35 days prepartum but lower levels of IGF-1 at calving. These data suggest that UH cows, especially L3 cows, had a more pronounced negative energy balance than UH-NZHF cows that may reflect a different pattern of nutrient partitioning possibly related to different pregnancy rates.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Periera I and Laborde D and Lopez-Villalobos N and Ruprechter G and Carriquiry M and Meikle A}
}
@conference {69531,
	title = {Productive and reproductive performance of Uruguayan Holstein and Urugyayan Holstein x New Zealand Holstein Friesian cows in a predominantly pasture-based system},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {70},
	year = {2010},
	month = {Jun},
	pages = {306-310},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Palmerston North},
	abstract = {The performance of Uruguayan Holstein (UH) and UH x New Zealand Holstein Friesian first cross (UHNZHF) cows was investigated over 1 year using 62 cows offered predominantly native pasture. Accumulated 305 day yields of milk, fat, protein and milksolids (fat+protein) were not affected by the strain. The UH cows produced 0.5 L/d more milk than UH-NZHF cows at Day 240 of lactation (P <0.05). Fat and lactose percentages were greater in UH-NZHF cows (3.72 vs 3.44\% and 5.02 vs 4.94\%, respectively, P <0.0001). Protein percentages tended to be greater in UH-NZHF cows (3.31 vs 3.27\%, P = 0.08). The UH cows were 49 kg heavier (569 vs 520 kg, P <0.001) and required a greater energy requirement for maintenance. The UHNZHF cows produced more milksolids per kg of BW0.75, (P <0.01). Pregnancy rates tended to be greater in UH-NZHF cows (87 \% vs 71\%, P = 0.08) and were greater when the first 40 days of service were considered (61 vs 35\%, P = 0.04), which may be related to a differential energy partitioning according to strains.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Periera I and Laborde D and Carriquiry M and Lopez-Villalobos N and Meikle A}
}
@conference {41007,
	title = {Evaluating the business risk associated with feeding supplements to dairy cows on pasture},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {58},
	year = {1998},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {125-127},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {The beta analysis technique provides a practical tool for evaluating the business risk associated with feeding supplements to dairy cows. The break-even cost, the expected profitability and the probability of making a profit can all be derived by predicting the marginal milksolids (MS) response, and applying prices for MS and supplements. The range of possible outcomes is simulated from specified maximum and minimum values, and the associated response distribution for each of these variables. The profitability of feeding maize silage on a market milk supply dairy farm was used to demonstrate the possible application of formal risk analysis to dairy herd management with a 50\% spring: 50\% autumn calving pattern. To be profitable, the marginal response to maize silage has to be maximised when no milk premium is paid, but, in the months when a premium is earnt, the risk of not making a profit is small. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Laborde D and Shadbolt NM and Parker WJ}
}
@conference {41008,
	title = {Herbage intake, grazing behaviour and feed conversion efficiency of lactating Holstein-Friesian cows that differ genetically for liveweight},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {58},
	year = {1998},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {128-131},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Two experiments were carried out to compare the feed conversion efficiency at high pasture allowances in early (EXP1) and mid-lactation (EXP2) of genetically heavy (H) or light (L) Holstein-Friesian cows (H = 487, L = 410 kg, P<0.001). Average milksolids (MS) yield was not significantly different in EXP1 (H = 1.73, L = 1.64 kg MS), but the H line had higher MS yield than the L line in EXP2 (H = 1.70, L = 1.54 kg/cow/day, P<0.001). The mean individual dry matter intakes (DMI, kg/cow/day), measured using the n-alkanes technique, were higher for H cows in both EXP1 (H = 15.5 and L = 13.9; P<0.05) and EXP2 (H = 12.2 and L = 10.8; P<0.05). However, herbage intake was not significantly different between the H and L cows when adjusted to a common MS yield. Feed conversion efficiency (g MS/kg DMI) was slightly higher for the L cows during EXP1 (H = 114, L = 120, P = <0.1), but not different for H and L cows during EXP2 (H = 144, L = 143). The calculated bite size of the H cows was on average 0.095 g DM/bite (pooled for the two experiments) heavier (P<0.05) than that of the L cows, but the L cows showed a consistently faster rate of biting than the H cows (H = 51, L = 56 bites/min, P<0.05). Although the H cows had higher MS yield than the L cows, especially in EXP2, the higher MS yield was not associated with increased efficiency, presumably because the H cows required more energy for maintenance than the L cows. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Laborde D and Garcia-Muniz JG and Holmes CW}
}
@conference {40991,
	title = {Reproductive performance of Holstein-Friesian cows differing genetically in live weight},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {58},
	year = {1998},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {73-75},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {The reproductive performance of two genetic lines of Holstein-Friesian cows bred for heavy (H) or light (L) mature live weight (LW) was evaluated from 1992 to 1997. The interval calving to ovulation was shorter (P<0.05) for H cows (28 {\textpm} 3.2 days) than for L cows (L: 31 {\textpm} 2.5 days), but the difference between the lines in the interval calving-first heat was not significant (H: 50 days; L: 43 days). However, in the cows older than 2 years old, the H cows had a lower conception rate at first service than the L cows (H: 58\% vs. L: 70\%) which extended the conception and calving pattern of the H cows. The possible reasons for those differences in the reproductive performance are discussed as topics for further research. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Laborde D and Holmes CW and Garcia-Muniz JG and Wichtel J}
}
