Effects of selection and crossbreeding strategies on industry profit in the New Zealand dairy industry

The effects of selection and crossbreeding on the New Zealand dairy industr y net income were evaluated with a deterministic model over a 25 yr plannin g horizon. Several mating strategies involving Holstein-Friesian, Jersey an d Ayrshire cattle were evaluated. These strategies were straight breeding, upgrading to Holstein-Friesian, upgrading to Jersey, upgrading to Ayrshire, use of the best bulls irrespective of breed and two- and three-breed rotat ional crossbreeding. Industry productions of milk, fat, protein, and lactos e were calculated assuming that 12,000 kg of dry matter per hectare was uti lized from 1,224,911 hectares of pasture. Profitability was the difference between income (international sale of whole milk powder, casein, butter, an d beef from salvage animals) and costs (farm expenses, milk collection, man ufacture, and marketing). Casein and whole milk powder were valued at NZ$8. 345 and NZ$3.306/per kilogram, respectively, over 25 yr. Butter was valued at NZ$2.995/kilogram for base year production levels and NZ$0.45/kilogram f or marginal increases in production. Upgrading to Holstein-Friesian resulte d in the highest industry net income (NZ$1119 million) followed by straight breeding (NZ$1086 million) and two-breed rotational Holstein-Friesian x Je rsey (NZ$1076 million). However, if the marginal value of extra butter prod uction was assumed equal to the average base value, then upgrading to Jerse y resulted in the highest industry net income (NZ$1185 million) followed by two-breed rotational Holstein-Friesian x Jersey (NZ$1177 million) and use of the best bulls (NZ$1173 million). Future costs and prices of dairy produ cts have major impact on mating strategies.