IDENTIFICATION OF FARM MANAGER TYPES THROUGH CLUSTER-ANALYSIS OF CALFAND HEIFER MANAGEMENT-PRACTICES

Cluster analysis (a type of data analysis used successfully in other d isciplines to create categories or classify groups) can contribute to preventive veterinary medicine in many areas such as calf and heifer m anagement. Its contribution lies in the identification of subgroups th at share managerial techniques that need to be altered, adopted or eli minated to improve herd health management and thus prevent diseases. A s a result of the identification of these subgroups, prevention strate gies can be more efficient and effective. In this particular study of a random sample of 329 Pennsylvania dairy herds, five subgroups of dai ry farmers were differentiated by their use of management practices in preventive health, nutrition, reproduction, and housing. These five m anagement profiles were related to age of first calving, thus adding t o confidence in the subgroups and their implication for preventive vet erinary medicine.