Production Changes Related to Employee Management in Virginia Dairy Herds

• Published in: Journal of dairy science Vol. 73; no. 9; pp. 2574 - 2579
• Main Authors: Ligero-Toro, F., McGilliard, M.L., James, R.E., Kohl, D.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Champaign Elsevier Inc 01.09.1990; Am Dairy Sci Assoc; American Dairy Science Association
• Subjects: BOVIN LAITIER; BOVINE MASTITIS; DAIRY CATTLE; dairy herd improvement; DAIRY INDUSTRY; DHI; ECONOMIA; ECONOMICS; ECONOMIE; employees; GANADO DE LECHE; GESTION; HATOS; HERDS; INDUSTRIA LECHERA; INDUSTRIE LAITIERE; labor; LABOUR; MAMMITE BOVINE; MANAGEMENT; MASTITIS BOVINA; MILK PRODUCTION; PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT; PRODUCCION LECHERA; PRODUCTION LAITIERE; TRABAJO; TRAVAIL; TROUPEAU; VIRGINIA; VIRGINIE; DHI; employees; labor
• ISSN: 0022-0302; 1525-3198
• DOI: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(90)78943-6

Data from a 1979 survey of employment practices of 229 employees from 119 randomly selected Virginia Holstein herds were combined with 8 subsequent yr of DHI data to determine the relationship of labor management with herd production and production changes in future years. Herdspersons received the highest monthly wage and fringe benefits ($964) and were the most educated type of employee. The percentage of farms remaining on DHI for 8 yr was influenced by cash wage, 67% for under $300/mo and 87% for above $999/mo. One-third of low production herds and 84% of high production herds remained on DHI. Employment characteristics of herdspersons were more frequently associated with production differences than were characteristics of other types of employees. Herds employing herdspersons or cow feeders with prior training achieved 776 to 955kg/yr more FCM. Income minus feed cost in 1978 was larger for older employees and employees with more education. Mastitis was 6 percentage points less frequent for college graduates and decreased over time for higher pay, fewer hours, and less vacation. Low pay and many hours per week increased days open over time. Mastitis was unaffected by employment terms of milkers, but more education among milkers improved milk yield. Herd performance was unrelated to availability of educational programs. Herds with young educated employees were more productive. Employment characteristics, however, were not clear predictors of production success.