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. 2019 Nov 11;14(11):e0223436.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0223436. eCollection 2019.

Bull efficiency using dairy genetic traits

Christine E Whitt  1 , Loren W Tauer  2 , Heather Huson  3
Affiliations

Bull efficiency using dairy genetic traits

Christine E Whitt et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Dairy bulls are evaluated using progeny data and genomic testing to determine the quantity of specific traits that they will pass to their daughters. Some bulls excel in some traits but not others. Specifying these various traits as outputs, with the single input of insemination, technical, revenue, allocative, and profit efficiency of bulls available for artificial insemination are estimated using Free Disposal Hull. Although bulls generally are highly technically efficient, because only high performing bull semen is offered for sale, bulls are less revenue, allocative and profit efficient. These efficiencies are relative to peer bulls and can be updated as new bulls become available.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Graphical representation of allocative efficiency for two outputs (protein and fat) and one input (semen) case.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Graphical representation of Free Disposal Hull (FDH) with two outputs (protein and fat) and one input (semen).
Fig 3
Fig 3. Kernel density estimation of efficiencies including fat, protein and somatic cell count as outputs in FDH model.
Fig 4
Fig 4. Kernel density estimation of efficiencies including fat, protein, somatic cell count, liveability, udder composition, daughter pregnancy rate and calving ability as outputs in FDH model.
Fig 5
Fig 5. Scatter plot of semen price versus profit efficiency from the two output (fat, protein), one input (semen) model.
Fig 6
Fig 6. Distribution of percent reduction of semen price necessary for profit efficiency (Two output (protein and butterfat), one input (semen) model).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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