Improved udder health in large dairy herds

The aim of this project is to optimize management decisions in large dairy herds by integrating systematic on-farm experimentation into advanced dairy herd management systems, i.e. an evolutionary management system. Systematic experimentation is a way to detect and estimate the effects of changing input factors. Effects of such within-herd experiments can be evaluated with minimal costs because larger herds often have access to automatic or semi-automatic data recordings.

We will implement the concepts of Evolutionary Operations (EVOP) known from the manufacturing industry. EVOP implies to make systematic small changes in production factors and procedures and thereby identify a more efficient production. Generic concepts developed in Denmark, within a common Nordic project, will be developed into a specific model for the management of udder health. The application of EVOP for udder health management will be evaluated, quantitatively and qualitatively, in a few Swedish commercial herds.

Financier: The Swedish Farmers’ Foundation for Agricultural Research (SLF)
Co-applicant: Ylva Persson, Växa Sverige, Kerstin Svennersten Sjaunja, SLU
Collaborator: Bengt-Ove Rustas, SLU