This study aimed to develop a replacement decision-making model for dairy cows using smart farm data to support the management efficiency of dairy farmers, thereby facilitating the effective and successful diffusion of smart farms in the dairy sector....
This study aimed to develop a replacement decision-making model for dairy cows using smart farm data to support the management efficiency of dairy farmers, thereby facilitating the effective and successful diffusion of smart farms in the dairy sector. The replacement decision-making model was constructed to maintain an optimal herd size capable of producing milk up to the farm’s quota. The developed model was estimated using data from actual smart farms and dairy statistics provided by the National Statistical Office. A simulation was conducted on a virtual farm representing a typical Korean dairy farm with 132 cows. The simulation results demonstrated that the replacement decision-making process functioned effectively, accurately reflecting the profit-maximizing behavior of dairy farms. This model provides a fundamental structure that can be further refined and expanded in the future.