Development of a Centrally Based Dairy Performance Benchmark Program with the Capability of also Performing as a Sensitive Dairy Management Diagnostic Monitor

Abstract

A dairy herd performance monitoring/bench-marking system was developed with the objective to serve dual roles. First, as a central database of basic herd performance parameters, the program serves as a benchmarking system to allow comparison of one herd against a set of other herds, as defined by the user. Second, as a repository of performance data, the program serves as a performance monitoring tool for dairy managers and/or their consultants, veterinarians and advisers. Herd performance can be observed as recent trend analyses, or performance comparisons to previous time periods. Periodic summaries are also made available on a quarterly or as-needed basis. Emphasis was placed on minimizing lag time in parameters selected for monitoring.