Illinois dairy cattle breeding practices and costs

Lenkaitis, Briley Riann

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/122057 Copy

Description

Title

Illinois dairy cattle breeding practices and costs

Author(s)

Lenkaitis, Briley Riann

Issue Date

2023-12-07

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Hutchins, Jared

Committee Member(s)

• Nolan, Derek
• Goldsmith, Peter

Department of Study

Agr & Consumer Economics

Discipline

Agricultural & Applied Econ

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• genetics
• traits
• yield

Abstract

Breeding preferences on dairy herds have adapted and changed as milk cow productivity has increased. Farmers have adapted their breeding programs to follow new trends, management practices, and production goals. This paper examines current breeding costs and preferences dairy farmers use in their operations. In our sample of Illinois dairy farmers, respondents are focused on breeding for production, health, and type-oriented goals and focus highly on milk production and milk components. Farmers tend to conduct breeding decisions and actual breeding on-farm rather than hire an outside source. Average prices for non-sexed semen, beef semen, and sexed semen are $24, $12, and $39, respectively. Lastly, there is a positive correlation between average net merit and sexed semen prices and a negative correlation between net merit and non-sexed semen prices. In theory, farmers purchasing higher quality semen (higher net merit) are more willing to add the decision of sexed semen in their purchases to increase their chances of having female offspring. When using non-sexed semen, farmers are less likely to spend more on net merit because of the higher possibility of undesirable gendered offspring.

Graduation Semester

2023-12

Type of Resource

Thesis

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2023 Briley Lenkaitis

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