Estimates of achievable milk production on subtropical dairy farms in Queensland

Abstract

A knowledge-based decision support system called DAIRYPRO was applied to farm survey data to provide estimates of the achievable milk production for dairy farms in Queensland. The survey data were obtained from personal interviews conducted in 1994–95 involving 37–86% of farmers in 4 dairying districts in Queensland. Farms that had higher levels of milk production and a history of adopting proven management aids such as herd recording had production levels closer to achievable milk production. Measured milk yield relative to achievable milk production for 2 regions was significantly different from the other 2, while the age of the main decision maker was also a significant factor, with farmers aged 30–59 years producing closer to achievable milk production than any other age group (P<0.05). Seven percent of farms had measured production levels greater than the model’s estimation of achievable milk production.