Management of Large Herds in California

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Abstract
The theory that cows do better in small herds is no longer valid although there are still exceptions. In 1966, production per cow almost paralleled herd size in California Dairy Herd Improvement Associations (DHIA). Efficient milk production in large herds demands that the herds be managed as multiples of smaller units in order to provide each cow sufficient individual attention. The family-size dairy farm can and will survive providing it grows and progresses with the times. Cows in DHIA exceed the production of cows not on test by approximately 50%. Positive identification and adequate individual cow records are essential to large herd management. Manure disposal, breeding efficiency, and competent management are among the most common major problems of large herds.

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