Comparative Profitability of Purebred and Crossbred Holstein Herds in Venezuela

Abstract

The objective was to compare the profitability of dual purpose systems (beef and milk) with Holstein crossbred cattle in lowland ecozones with those in highland dairy systems using purebred Holsteins. Data were variable costs for feed, labor, health, and reproduction; gross incomes from milk and beef from surveys of 157 farms in 1987 to 1988; and records of dairy perfonnance. Profit measures were milk income over feed cost for lactating cows and net margin for all cows (gross income from milk and beef minus variable costs per year). Least squares methods were used to estimate costs and profit measures from a model containing effects of breed, ecozone, herd size, reproduction system, interviewer, and milk yield as a covariate.