Stahl T J, Conlin B J, Seykora A J, Steuernagel G R
Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108, USA.
J Dairy Sci. 1999 Jan;82(1):45-51. doi: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(99)75207-0.
This study evaluated factors that affected decision making and changes within the Minnesota dairy industry. The 50 herds selected for this study had at least 75 cows registered with the Dairy Herd Improvement Association in 1993 and were selected based on the total percentage increase in milk production on the farm from 1989 to 1993. These 50 herds had a mean herd size of 131 cows and a mean milk production of 8807 kg per cow in 1993. On average, from 1989 to 1993, the surveyed herds increased their total milk output by 90%, increased their herd size by 51 cows, and increased mean herd milk production by 926 kg. Of the farms, 50% were partnerships or family corporations, and 50% were owned by a single family. The surveyed producers were 39 yr of age on average. During the period studied, the use of free-stall housing increased from 36 to 48%, use of the milking parlor increased from 32 to 54%, and use of tie stalls decreased from 42 to 28%. The daily hauling of manure decreased from 34 to 20% on these farms. The use of hired labor increased by a mean of 0.61 full-time workers and 0.34 part-time workers. Strategies for herd growth included internal growth (no purchased animals), 24%; the purchase of cows, 24%; and the purchase of springers, 52%. Over 90% of the producers were very satisfied or somewhat satisfied with dairy farming operations, but only 33% of the spouses were very or somewhat satisfied. Satisfaction levels were positively associated with overall production levels on the farms. Although there is no single established pattern for the expansion of herds, practices utilized by those producers surveyed can be scrutinized by others who are contemplating expansions to determine what might be efficient for their operations.
本研究评估了影响明尼苏达州奶牛业决策及变化的因素。本研究选取的50个牛群在1993年至少有75头奶牛注册于奶牛改良协会，且是根据1989年至1993年农场牛奶产量的总增长百分比来选取的。这50个牛群在1993年的平均牛群规模为131头奶牛，每头奶牛的平均产奶量为8807千克。从1989年到1993年，被调查的牛群平均总产奶量增长了90%，牛群规模增加了51头奶牛，平均牛群产奶量增加了926千克。其中50%的农场为合伙经营或家族企业，50%由单个家庭所有。被调查的生产者平均年龄为39岁。在研究期间，自由牛舍的使用比例从36%增加到了48%，挤奶厅的使用比例从32%增加到了54%，拴系牛栏的使用比例从42%下降到了28%。这些农场粪便的每日清运比例从34%下降到了20%。雇佣劳动力的使用平均增加了0.61名全职工人和0.34名兼职工人。牛群增长策略包括内部增长（不购买牲畜），占24%；购买奶牛，占24%；购买待产母牛，占52%。超过90%的生产者对奶牛养殖业务非常满意或 somewhat 满意，但只有33%的配偶非常或 somewhat 满意。满意度水平与农场的总体生产水平呈正相关。虽然牛群扩张没有单一既定模式，但那些被调查生产者所采用的做法可供其他考虑扩张的人审视，以确定哪些做法对他们的经营可能是有效的。
