The latest KPI study for 2024 is now available! See the latest targets and trends for over ~40 parameters.

Since 2010, the University of Reading has conducted annual benchmarking of key performance indicators for 500 Holstein/Friesian UK dairy herds. Each study covers >70 different parameters describing aspects of fertility, production and health. The principal objectives of the studies are to provide farmers and their technical advisers with accurate and current benchmarking of key performance indicators as the basis for discussion and target setting at herd level.

The source of data were the monthly milk records obtained by National Milk Records (NMR). The 500 herds used in the study all fully milk record on a monthly basis and account for approximately 10% of herds recorded by NMR. The herds were all predominantly comprised of black and white breeds (Holstein, Holstein-Friesian, Friesian) and had recorded for a minimum of two years. For each parameter, the first quartile, median, third quartile and interquartile range were calculated. The target value used by InterHerd+ is the level achieved or bettered by 25% of the herds in the study. This value is the “better” of the first quartile (25%) or third quartile (75%) values.

Fertility KPIs related to services have remained stable since 2020 but the remaining fertility related KPIs have continued to improve beyond 2020. Milk yields appear to have peaked. Since 2020, milk per cow per year has decreased by 234 kg and lifetime milk per cow per day has decreased by 0.3 kg. However, fat % and protein % have continued to improve, with the result that kg of fat and protein produced per cow per year has remained more or less level since 2020. All SCC KPIs have remained stable since 2020. For example, the average SCC has plateaued at ~ 170,000 cell/ml. However, longevity KPIs have continued to worsen. Compared to 2010, cows exited the herd 261 days earlier after 218 fewer productive days in 2024. These findings suggest that KPIs related to fertility, milk composition and SCC are stable or improving, but KPIs related to milk yields and longevity are worsening.

To access the full key performance indicators (KPIs) report for 2024, please click HERE

To access previous annual reports, please click HERE