Statistical Optimization and Analysis of Factors Maximizing Milk Productivity

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the biological and environmental factors affecting milk yield and dry matter consumption and to analyze the effects of these factors on animal production. The study determined the variables affecting milk yield as input factors, such as lactation period, number of days of gestation, age, TMR dry matter ratio, and environmental factors. As a result of regression analyses, it was determined that each 1% increase in the TMR dry matter ratio decreased the milk yield by 0.9148 L, and each increase in the number of lactations increased the daily milk yield by 3.753 L. However, it was observed that the increase in the number of lactation days caused a decrease in milk production, and milk yield decreased as the gestation period extended. The most appropriate independent variable values were determined using statistical optimization analyses to maximize milk yield and optimize dry matter consumption. As a result of the analyses, the optimum value for the TMR dry matter ratio was calculated as 46.77%, 5 for lactation number, 6 for lactation day number, 230 days for gestation period, 55.8 months for cow age, and 20 °C for air temperature. The optimum values of the dependent variables were determined to be 61.145 L for daily milk yield and 19.033 units for dry matter consumption. The prediction intervals provided by the model served as reference points for future observations and showed that milk production was strongly affected by certain environmental and biological factors.