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Analysis of Culled Cow Disposal Patterns by Parity and Herd Size Using DHIA Termination Codes

This study investigates the disposal reporting and disposition practices for culled cows between 2000-2003, utilizing DHIA termination codes. Analysis of 40,849 herd-years reveals significant trends, including that 33% of cows in milk had their final records reported within the same year. A substantial portion of disposal information remains unreported or ambiguous, particularly for cows sold for dairy (TC 2). Insights into milk yield differences and reasons for culling across lactations are presented, with findings suggesting a need for further research to enhance trait analysis using termination codes.

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Analysis of Culled Cow Disposal Patterns by Parity and Herd Size Using DHIA Termination Codes

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  1. Disposal reporting and disposition of culled cows by parity and herd size

  2. DHIA Termination Codes (TC)

  3. Herd Disposal Reporting • 40,849 herd-years from 20002003 Herds continuing on test 80% test-day records passing edits 10 test days • 33% of cows in milk with final record reported during the herd year • Termination code (TC) 3-7 reported for 1,043,055 cows • No disposal information reported for ~20% of final records

  4. Distribution of TCAnnual Percentage of Cows in Milk

  5. Cow Disposal Reporting • 8.5 million final lactation records since 1997 • 2.8 million likely in progress • Calving in 2004 or 2005 • TC not 3-7 • 0.5 million sold for dairy (TC 2) • To herds not participating in DHIA testing • 4.0 million include disposal code (TC 3-7) • 1.2 million unknown disposition • Herd discontinued DHIA testing (and TC 2 not used) • Disposal not recorded or ambiguous

  6. Distribution of TCPercentage of reported disposals

  7. Data • Terminal lactation records (3,138,918) • Lactations 1-5 • Ending 1998 through 2004 • TC 3-7 • Paired with herd-year averages for the year culled • Milk • Fat • Protein • SCS and SCC

  8. Models • Difference from herd average (HA) for milk, fat, and protein included TC (3 vs. other) • Difference from HA for SCS and SCC included TC (7 vs. other) • Days open included TC (4 vs. other) and was restricted to cows with >50 DIM • All included lactation number, termination year and interactions with TC

  9. Yield Results • Cows with TC 3 had milk yield 2% and protein yield 3% lower than HA • Significantly different from other culled cows with milk yield 5% and protein yield 2% higher than HA

  10. SCS Results • Cows with TC 7 had SCS 21% higher than HA • Significantly different from other culled cows, although those cows also had SCS higher (4%) than HA

  11. Reproduction Results • Cows with TC 4 had significantly higher days open (258) than other culled cows with at least 50 DIM (173 days open)

  12. Disposal by Parity • The most common reported reasons for culling cows in 1st lactation were low production (TC 3) and reproductive problems (TC 4) • The most common reported reason for culling cows in 3rd or later lactation was high SCC/mastitis (TC 7)

  13. Conclusions • Most terminal records include an indication cow status (live/dead) • Most records for culled cows include an indication of cause • Reported TC are supported by cow and herd records • Research aimed at using TC information to improve trait analysis is warranted

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