Developing breeding schemes for pasture based dairy production systems in Kenya: II. Evaluation of alternative objectives and schemes using a two-tier open nucleus and young bull system.

Publication Type

Journal contribution (peer reviewed)

Authors

Kahi,A.K.; Nitter,G.; Gall,C.F.

Year of publication

2004

Published in

Livestock Production Science

Band/Volume

88/

Page (from - to)

179-192

A deterministic approach was used to evaluate alternative breeding objectives and schemes in a dairy cattle breed in Kenya. A two-tier open nucleus breeding scheme and a young bull system (YBS) were assumed with intensive recording and 100 % artificial insemination (AI) in the nucleus and 35 % AI in the commercial sector. The breeding objectives differed in the marketing scenario that each described and whether pasture feed for the cows was limited or not. Two marketing scenarios were distinguished; current (payment of milk is based on volume) and future (payment of milk would be based on volume and fat content). Therefore, four breeding objectives were considered: CUNL, current no limitation; CUWL, current with limitation; FUNL, future no limitation and FUWL, future with limitation. The breeding schemes differed in the records available for use as selection criteria. The schemes ranged from one that only utilised fertility criteria (scheme 1) to one that incorporated fertility, weights, milk and fat yield (FY) criteria (scheme 5). The annual monetary genetic gain and profit per cow for all schemes varied between breeding objectives but were highest in CUNL. Therefore, basing payment of milk on volume and fat content has little advantage to the overall profitability of the breeding programme. Within each marketing scenario, the annual monetary genetic gain and profit per cow was higher in a no limitation situation than in a situation with limitation on pastures. Within each breeding objective, the annual monetary genetic gain and profit per cow was highest for the breeding scheme with the highest level of investments. In all objectives, the difference in the profit per cow between a scheme that incorporated fertility, weights and milk yield criteria and scheme 5 was small (0.4 to 1.2%) indicating that there is little benefit including FY as a selection criterion. Therefore, a breeding scheme that requires records on FY seems not to be justified from an economic poin