Milk production functions in relation to feed inputs, cow characteristics and environmental conditions

Abstract

<p>The main emphasis of this study is on milk production functions as they relate to various levels and proportions of grain and hay in a ration restricted to these two feeds. However, certain auxiliary variables representing cow characteristics and environmental conditions are also incorporated into the production function. The auxiliary variables include: stage of lactation, milk-producing ability, temperature, age, maturity, body weight and a coefficient of inbreeding. These auxiliary variables are fixed at different levels to allow expression of milk production functions when the characteristics of cows are set at different magnitudes.</p> <p>This study considers the economic optima in ration specification for dairy cows and represents a cooperative interdisciplinary effort. The estimates allow derivation of production surfaces, milk isoclines and isoquants, marginal rates of feed substitution and profit-maximizing rations for cows of different characteristics (maturity, ability, inbreeding, weight) producing under specified environmental conditions.</p>