The environment of the herd can be altered with each run, as desired. Below are the variables that can be altered.
Variable | Explanation |
Number of cows in milk | |
Minimum number of milking cows | Cows purchased |
Maximum number of milking cows | Cows culled |
Max. number of DIM | 365 d |
Max. age of open heifers | 744 d, Culled |
Min. days dry | 49-60 d |
Min. interval CTFS | 42 d |
Min. days open | 50 d |
Max. # services | 4 |
Cut-off to dry off | 4.5 kg |
Death loss | 0.04 |
Percentage Heifers | 0.50 |
Young sire usage | 0.35 |
Estrous detection success | 0.70 |
Non Breeding policy | 0.80 below herd LPI ave., anytime |
" | 0.90 below herd LPI ave., GT 160 DIM |
" | 1.00 below herd LPI ave., GT 240 DIM |
Top LPI cows in the herd are mated to proven sires. Different kinds of barns, milking systems, employees, can be reflected in the labour costs that are input to the program. Types of feed can also be reflected in the feed costs.