Comparison of different lactation curve models in Holstein cows raised on a farm in the south-eastern Anatolia region

Abstract. The objective of this study was to compare the goodness of fit of seven mathematical models (including the gamma function, the exponential model, the mixed log model, the inverse quadratic polynomial model and their various modifications) on daily milk yield records. The criteria used to compare models were mean R², root mean squared errors (RMSE) and difference between actual and predicted lactation milk yields. The effect of lactation number on curve parameters was significant for models with three parameters. Third lactation cows had the highest intercept post-calving, greatest incline between calving and peak milk yield and greatest decline between peak milk yield and end of lactation. Latest peak production occurred in first lactation for all models, while third lactation cows had the earliest day of peak production. The R2 values ranged between 0.590 and 0.650 for first lactation, between 0.703 and 0.773 for second lactation and between 0.686 and 0.824 for third lactation, depending on the model fitted. The root mean squared error values of different models varied between 1.748 kg and 2.556 kg for first parity cows, between 2.133 kg and 3.284 kg for second parity cows and between 2.342 kg and 7.898 kg for third parity cows. Lactation milk yield deviations of Ali and Schaeffer, Wilmink and Guo and Swalve Models were close to zero for all lactations. Ali and Schaeffer Model had the highest R2 for all lactations and also yielded smallest RMSE and actual and predicted lactation milk yield differences. Wilmink and Guo and Swalve Models gave better fit than other three parameter models.