State and National Standardized Lactation Averages by Breed

AIPL RESEARCH REPORT
K2-02 (2-04)

State and National Standardized Lactation Averages by Breed for Cows Calving in 2002

R.L. Powell and A.H. Sanders
Animal Improvement Programs Laboratory, ARS-USDA, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350
301-504-8334 (voice) ~ 301-504-8092 (fax) ~ inquiry@aipl.arsusda.gov ~ http://aipl.arsusda.gov

Data for 2004 State and national lactation averages report were from calvings in 2002. Yield data used in national genetic evaluations of dairy cattle and in other U.S. Department of Agriculture research originate from herds enrolled in the Dairy Herd Improvement (DHI) program. The test-day data, used by the Animal Improvement Programs Laboratory to determine lactation records, are processed and provided through dairy records processing centers (DRPC). DHI participation and DRPC activity have also been summarized.

Lactation records were calculated using the best prediction method and were standardized for age-parity, calving month, previous days open, and times milked per day. Records in progress and other records shorter than 305 days were extended to 305 days as part of the best prediction process. Component percentages were computed from average standardized yields for milk and components. Protein testing is at or near 100% except in California (89% for Guernseys, 87% for Holsteins, and 90% for Red and Whites).

This is the third report to include actual true protein measurements. National averages for all prior years have been computed to reflect the change from reporting of crude protein to true protein. Data collected prior to May 1, 2000 were adjusted to true protein basis by subtracting 0.19 percent from the crude protein percentage.

Only data used in calculation of national genetic evaluations are included in State and national averages. Thus, records beyond fifth lactation or by cows that lacked a first lactation record or valid sire identification were excluded. For other editing requirements, see complete evaluation documentation.

Numbers of records and averages for yields and component percentages are in Tables 1 through 7 by State for Ayrshires, Brown Swiss, Guernseys, Holsteins, Jerseys, Milking Shorthorns, and Red and Whites. Numbers of records and national averages are in Tables 8A-8F by breed for selected years.

Breed yields are different between this report and the herd-average report because this report uses standardized data, whereas herd averages are based on actual yields. Also, data for many cows that contribute to herd averages for 2003 actually calved in 2003. Finally, records contributing to herd-averages are not restricted to those usable for national genetic evaluations. Relative yields among breeds will differ between the two reports because of breed differences in percentage of usable records and differences in age-parity factors.

Although Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, and Holstein calving records for 2002 increased slightly over 2001 (3%, 1%, and <0.01%, respectively), numbers are still lower than for 2000. Calvings for Guernsey, and Red and White continued to decline, dropping by 5% and 7%, repectively since the previous year. The Jersey breed continued to grow, increasing by a record-setting 6% (6,538) in just one year. Number of Milking Shorthorn records was at a seven year high, increasing by 9% over the previous year.

After increasing by an average of 2% from 2000 calvings to 2001 calvings, milk yield was essentially unchanged between 2001 and 2002 calvings. Only Jerseys increased milk yield by 1% (191 lbs.). Fat yield continued to increase slightly in all breeds, but was less than 1% except for Brown Swiss, Jerseys, and Milking Shorthorns. After dropping slightly from 2000 calvings to 2001 calvings, fat percentage increased slightly in all breeds except Red and White. Protein yield and percentage were essentially unchanged except for a 1% increase in yield for Milking Shorthorns.

Changes in the numbers of records and average yields result from many factors. While factors such as feed availability and other operating costs, milk and beef prices, Government programs, and characteristics of herds entering and leaving eligible testing programs can affect production averages in either direction, genetic change is expected to have a positive effect on yield. The leveling off of average yields may reflect changes in management strategies and increased genetic emphasis on other traits affecting profitability such as health and longevity.

DHI Lactation Averages for Ayrshire

Table 1. Ayrshire State and National Standardized Lactation Averages for Cows Calving in 2002 With Records
Used in National Genetic Evaluations.

	Records	Milk	Fat		Protein
State	(no.)	(lb)	(%)	(lb)	(%)	(lb)	Reporting
Alabama	5	14,800	3.22	477	2.99	443	100
Arkansas	31	18,192	3.66	667	3.11	566	100
California	52	18,706	3.92	734	3.18	594	100
Colorado	6	20,896	3.37	705	2.94	613	100
Connecticut	102	19,095	4.06	775	3.26	623	100
Delaware	1	21,164	4.07	861	3.15	666	100
Florida	9	13,760	3.89	535	3.30	454	100
Georgia	16	17,107	3.51	600	3.16	541	100
Idaho	2	18,644	4.03	751	3.12	582	100
Illinois	239	18,002	3.75	675	3.17	571	100
Indiana	107	17,249	3.85	665	3.18	548	100
Iowa	519	19,771	3.85	761	3.15	623	100
Kansas	84	16,453	3.84	631	3.19	525	100
Kentucky	39	15,575	3.72	580	3.22	501	100
Louisiana	37	14,983	3.69	553	3.08	461	100
Maine	138	18,158	3.70	673	3.04	551	100
Maryland	322	19,909	4.01	798	3.16	630	100
Massachusetts	24	18,318	3.81	698	3.07	562	100
Michigan	39	20,974	3.82	800	3.10	650	100
Minnesota	213	15,747	3.81	600	3.10	488	100
Mississippi	3	19,504	3.27	638	2.97	578	100
Missouri	99	15,613	3.82	597	3.16	493	100
Nebraska	71	16,549	3.81	631	3.15	522	100
New Hampshire	149	18,208	3.83	698	3.11	566	100
New Jersey	15	17,717	4.49	795	3.16	561	100
New Mexico	351	15,032	3.74	562	3.19	480	100
New York	1219	17,907	3.84	688	3.08	551	100
North Carolina	72	14,439	4.03	581	3.01	434	100
North Dakota	10	15,669	4.02	629	3.13	490	100
Ohio	440	17,999	3.84	691	3.14	565	100
Oklahoma	57	20,050	3.61	725	3.08	618	100
Oregon	44	18,688	3.88	726	3.17	593	100
Pennsylvania	934	18,401	3.88	714	3.13	576	100
Rhode Island	20	14,925	3.99	596	3.19	476	100
South Carolina	27	14,675	3.63	533	3.11	456	100
Tennessee	36	15,725	3.80	597	3.14	493	100
Texas	87	20,522	3.95	810	3.22	660	100
Utah	11	14,964	4.38	655	3.32	497	100
Vermont	486	17,865	3.88	693	3.07	549	100
Virginia	84	14,701	3.82	561	3.10	455	100
Washington	18	19,159	3.95	756	3.15	604	100
West Virginia	51	15,063	3.79	572	3.09	466	100
Wisconsin	486	18,084	3.88	703	3.11	562	100
US	6755	17,880	3.85	689	3.12	558	100

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DHI Lactation Averages for Brown Swiss

Table 2. Brown Swiss State and National Standardized Lactation Averages for Cows Calving in 2002 With Records
Used in National Genetic Evaluations.

	Records	Milk	Fat		Protein
State	(no.)	(lb)	(%)	(lb)	(%)	(lb)	Reporting
Alabama	30	20,551	3.69	758	3.15	647	100
Arizona	201	23,366	3.87	904	3.16	739	100
Arkansas	130	16,949	3.68	624	3.30	559	100
California	448	22,014	3.89	856	3.35	736	99
Colorado	47	22,147	3.78	838	3.18	703	100
Connecticut	41	18,632	3.93	733	3.26	608	100
Delaware	23	19,816	4.36	864	3.20	634	100
Florida	9	18,725	3.66	685	3.17	593	100
Georgia	65	18,739	3.94	738	3.27	613	100
Idaho	212	21,893	3.93	861	3.37	737	100
Illinois	590	21,631	4.06	878	3.30	714	100
Indiana	427	22,335	4.10	915	3.35	749	100
Iowa	1393	21,835	4.05	885	3.29	718	100
Kansas	237	20,361	3.94	802	3.39	690	100
Kentucky	135	17,860	3.78	674	3.31	592	100
Louisiana	23	15,460	3.49	540	3.16	489	100
Maine	29	16,567	3.82	633	3.31	549	100
Maryland	376	21,456	4.08	876	3.27	702	100
Massachusetts	67	18,825	4.17	785	3.34	628	100
Michigan	294	25,275	3.87	979	3.33	841	100
Minnesota	1188	20,374	4.03	821	3.25	662	100
Mississippi	12	18,555	3.77	700	3.09	574	100
Missouri	407	19,362	3.95	764	3.36	651	100
Montana	52	15,886	4.00	636	3.41	542	100
Nebraska	232	21,909	3.86	846	3.25	712	100
New Hampshire	93	18,479	3.99	738	3.30	610	100
New Jersey	15	19,779	4.14	819	3.30	653	100
New Mexico	25	21,337	3.78	806	3.27	698	100
New York	990	20,188	4.00	808	3.27	660	100
North Carolina	86	18,495	3.97	733	3.23	598	100
North Dakota	63	17,394	3.96	689	3.38	589	100
Ohio	1460	21,099	4.13	870	3.34	705	100
Oklahoma	123	18,370	3.78	695	3.32	610	100
Oregon	222	21,417	4.12	883	3.32	711	100
Pennsylvania	1188	20,814	3.97	827	3.27	680	100
Puerto Rico	151	13,987	3.31	463	3.26	456	100
South Carolina	11	19,998	3.99	797	3.26	653	100
South Dakota	288	19,066	4.11	783	3.40	649	100
Tennessee	263	18,114	4.17	756	3.30	597	100
Texas	561	20,447	4.00	818	3.31	677	100
Utah	86	16,715	4.42	740	3.40	569	100
Vermont	296	20,444	4.22	863	3.25	665	100
Virginia	149	22,451	3.73	838	3.21	720	100
Washington	235	22,004	3.84	845	3.36	739	100
West Virginia	6	17,314	3.80	658	3.27	567	100
Wisconsin	2660	21,433	4.04	865	3.28	703	100
US	15639	20,869	4.01	837	3.30	688	>99

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DHI Lactation Averages for Guernsey

Table 3. Guernsey State and National Standardized Lactation Averages for Cows Calving in 2002 With Records
Used in National Genetic Evaluations.

	Records	Milk	Fat		Protein
State	(no.)	(lb)	(%)	(lb)	(%)	(lb)	Reporting
Arizona	29	16,914	4.12	697	3.07	520	100
Arkansas	52	12,969	4.19	544	3.43	445	100
California	401	17,841	4.31	769	3.40	615	89
Connecticut	44	15,879	4.63	735	3.37	535	100
Georgia	13	14,110	3.65	515	3.31	468	100
Idaho	23	16,526	4.27	706	3.35	554	100
Illinois	212	17,005	4.48	762	3.25	552	100
Indiana	358	16,053	4.40	707	3.34	536	100
Iowa	593	18,055	4.49	811	3.29	594	100
Kansas	45	14,900	4.31	642	3.26	485	100
Kentucky	42	16,151	4.11	664	3.26	527	100
Louisiana	39	14,923	4.08	609	3.10	462	100
Maine	37	15,145	4.42	669	3.34	506	100
Maryland	368	16,451	4.58	754	3.33	548	100
Massachusetts	7	18,328	4.50	825	3.19	585	100
Michigan	59	14,417	4.24	611	3.22	465	100
Minnesota	480	14,471	4.49	650	3.27	473	100
Mississippi	1	16,571	3.53	585	2.89	479	100
Missouri	294	14,541	4.32	628	3.37	490	100
Montana	19	18,634	4.10	765	3.26	607	100
Nebraska	76	18,384	4.39	806	3.27	601	100
New Hampshire	20	18,544	4.28	794	3.25	602	100
New Jersey	2	20,643	5.21	1075	3.15	651	100
New York	570	15,944	4.50	718	3.26	520	100
North Carolina	89	16,628	4.39	730	3.25	540	100
Ohio	346	16,649	4.45	741	3.31	551	100
Oklahoma	63	15,719	4.17	655	3.34	525	100
Oregon	393	18,078	4.39	794	3.25	588	100
Pennsylvania	971	16,341	4.45	726	3.24	529	>99
Rhode Island	1	22,305	4.65	1037	3.50	780	100
South Carolina	94	16,657	4.61	768	3.29	547	100
South Dakota	60	14,943	4.27	638	3.18	475	100
Tennessee	76	16,730	4.15	695	3.26	545	100
Texas	68	14,714	4.26	628	3.19	469	100
Utah	17	19,025	4.32	822	3.40	647	100
Vermont	180	15,349	4.47	686	3.22	494	100
Virginia	135	15,212	4.67	710	3.22	490	100
Washington	131	17,057	4.64	792	3.37	575	100
West Virginia	26	16,573	4.49	743	3.43	569	100
Wisconsin	1859	16,445	4.50	741	3.25	535	100
US	8293	16,398	4.45	730	3.28	538	99

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DHI Lactation Averages for Holstein

Table 4. Holstein State and National Standardized Lactation Averages for Cows Calving in 2002 With Records
Used in National Genetic Evaluations.

	Records	Milk	Fat		Protein
State	(no.)	(lb)	(%)	(lb)	(%)	(lb)	Reporting
Alabama	1515	20,979	3.31	694	2.95	618	100
Arizona	19877	24,074	3.53	850	2.98	716	>99
Arkansas	1725	20,348	3.47	706	3.01	613	100
California	335893	26,309	3.57	940	3.03	799	87
Colorado	11624	26,429	3.50	926	3.03	801	>99