WEEK 3: Milk Production & Herd Performance Metrics

Milk Production Analysis

Details/Subtopics

• Milk yield metrics: daily, 305-day, lactation curves
• Milk components: fat, protein, somatic cell count (SCC)
• Visualizing production data

Activities/Tasks:

• Lecture (2/3): Understanding milk production data and key performance indicators
• Lecture (2/5): How to monitor milk production
• Lab (2/5):
  
• Analyze CURC milk production records
  • Calculate herd averages, identify high/low performers
  • Create visualizations (histograms, time series plots)
  • Brainstorm: What questions can these data answer?
  • Analyse difference between tie stall and free stall barn

Due Dates:

• None (focusing on skill building)

Datasets/Resources

• CURC DHI (Dairy Herd Improvement) records > available at files in CANVAS