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Agricultural & Environmental
Modelling of Lactation Curves
A lactation curve is the plot of milk yield throughout a lactation and typically has a shape as in Figure 1. After calving, milk production increases rapidly to a peak, and then gradually falls thereafter. A cow gives milk on average 44 weeks until she is dried off two months before their next calving.
The purpose of this research is to examine modelling techniques for estimating the shape of lactation curves (for both whole milk yield and milk constituents), and to apply the most appropriate methodologies to data for the Irish dairy industry. The aim is to derive mathematical expressions for these lactation curves which will enable prediction of seasonal production for animals of different breeds and genetic potential. The factors which contribute to changes in lactation curves (e.g. weather conditions, diet etc.) will also be analysed. In addition, the study will examine, for the first time in Ireland, the relationship between milk yield and live weight for animals of different breeds and genetic potential. Standard lactation curves which will be produced in this study will form an integral part of the farm systems research at Moorepark and also have many uses in commercial dairying (DairyMis programmes) and in research. The Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) and INRA in France have shown considerable interest in this project.
Researchers: Lynn Killen, Liam Tuohey, Noreen Quinn
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