U.S. Dairy Replacement Strategy

Macroeconomics, Microeconomics or Biology?

Abstract

Replacement issues have become a major topic of discussion over the last several years. Much of this has been driven by questions about optimal removal rates and the volatile cost of replacement animals. As veterinarians and dairy professionals have searched to answer these questions and lead these discussions, they have typically turned to their historical strengths in the realms of biology for answers. While questions of cow longevity and reproductive performance have led to great learning, one void in these discussions has been a firm understanding of how economic forces impact replacement.