Effect of Calving season and Parity on the Productivity and Profitability of Holstein Friesian Dairy Farms

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of calving season and parity on the productivity and profitability of private and governmental dairy farms in Egypt. The data of this study were estimated from 1353 lactation records of Friesian dairy cows. The data were classified according to calving season into winter and summer calvers, and according to parity into six lactation orders from 1 st to 6 th , then the data were analyzed statistically by using the computer programs SPSS/PC+ version 23. Total milk yield (305MY) and net profit (NP) differed significantly between calving season and parity within production sector, private sector for winter calvers and 3 rd parity had the highest 305MY and NP (9759.5Kg-40960.9 EGP and 10304.3 kg, 44546.1 EGP, respectively), while governmental sector for summer calvers and 6 th parity had the lowest 305MY and NP (5028.4Kg-12117.1EGP and 4460.1kg, 10027.3 EGP, respectively). Total cost (TC) differed significantly within parity and sector, it was the highest for the private sector at 4 th parity (34849.1EGp), while 6 th parity for governmental sector had the lowest value (27657.5 EGP). Finally, we concluded that winter calvers and 3 rd parity achieve the highest profitability for dairy farms.