Modellrechnungen zum Einfluss der Lebendmasse von Milchkühen auf Futtereffizienz und Kraftfutterbedarf

On the basis of calculations the effects of dairy cow life weight on feed efficiency and concentrate demand for a whole lactation have been investigated. The results show, that the annual milk yield is not a sufficient efficiency indicator because efficiency is strongly affected by the life weight. To compensate for an increase in life weight of 100 kg the annual milk yield of dairy cows must increase per 12-13 % to achieve the same feed conversion efficiency (kg ECM/kg DM, kg ECM/MJ NEL). Given this, heavier cows need a higher proportion of concentrate in the annual ration because feed intake increases to a lower extent than the energy requirements. We conclude that in the cattle breeding efficiency parameters have to be considered and that for organic dairy farms heavy and high yielding dairy cows can not be recommended