Comparison of Holstein and Simmental cows in terms of performance, cost and profitability

Purpose of this study is to compare Holstein and Simmental cows in terms of performance, cost and profitability. The main material of this study consisted of face to face interview with 24 producers in Burdur, Isparta, Konya, Izmir, Afyon, Aksaray and Kirsehir provinces that prevail in dairy cattle production in Turkey. Data were collected in 2018, but the gathered information covered the production period that started in 2017 and lasted until 2018. Of the 24 farms, 10, 7 and 7 consisted of farms raising Holstein, Simmental and mix (60% Holstein and 40% Simmental) breeds. Holstein cows had higher daily milk yield than Simmental and Mixed breed (P<0.05). Simmental cows had higher milk fat and protein percentages than other cows (P<0.05). Daily dry matter intake did not differ among breeds (P>0.05). Total production cost per cow was similar regardless of breed (P>0.05). Total production cost per Holstein, Simmental and Mixed breed cow was 1940.76, 1904.82 and 2046.79 USD, respectively. Feed cost had the highest share in total cost (71.29-73.29 %) followed by permanent labor (7.56-9.67 %) and cow depreciation (7.64-10.28 %). Proportion of feed cost in total variable cost was 94.39, 94.10 and 93.82% for Holstein, Mixed and Simmental breed cows, respectively. Holstein breed had significantly higher gross product value than Simmental breed (P<0.05). For each breed, income from milk sale was the main contributor to income in the gross product value. Profitability indicators showed that Holstein breed was more profitable than Simmental (P<0.05). The reason for Holstein to be more profitable than Simmental was that even though they had similar production costs, Holstein had higher gross product value. In recent years there has been an interest toward Simmental breed in Turkey and Europe by producers due to their lower culling rate, resistance to diseases and higher milk fat percentages even though they have lower milk yield than Holstein cows. Results of this study showed that when deciding a breed to raise, cost and profitability of the production should be also be considered.