University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Illinois dairy cattle breeding practices and costs

Lenkaitis, Briley Riann

Content Files
LENKAITIS-THESIS-2023.pdf

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/122057

Description

Title
Illinois dairy cattle breeding practices and costs
Author(s)
Lenkaitis, Briley Riann
Issue Date
2023-12-07
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Hutchins, Jared
Committee Member(s)
  • Nolan, Derek
  • Goldsmith, Peter
Department of Study
Agr & Consumer Economics
Discipline
Agricultural & Applied Econ
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Level
Thesis
Keyword(s)
  • genetics
  • traits
  • yield
Abstract
Breeding preferences on dairy herds have adapted and changed as milk cow productivity has increased. Farmers have adapted their breeding programs to follow new trends, management practices, and production goals. This paper examines current breeding costs and preferences dairy farmers use in their operations. In our sample of Illinois dairy farmers, respondents are focused on breeding for production, health, and type-oriented goals and focus highly on milk production and milk components. Farmers tend to conduct breeding decisions and actual breeding on-farm rather than hire an outside source. Average prices for non-sexed semen, beef semen, and sexed semen are $24, $12, and $39, respectively. Lastly, there is a positive correlation between average net merit and sexed semen prices and a negative correlation between net merit and non-sexed semen prices. In theory, farmers purchasing higher quality semen (higher net merit) are more willing to add the decision of sexed semen in their purchases to increase their chances of having female offspring. When using non-sexed semen, farmers are less likely to spend more on net merit because of the higher possibility of undesirable gendered offspring.
Graduation Semester
2023-12
Type of Resource
Thesis
Handle URL
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/122057
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2023 Briley Lenkaitis

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