STAR: Feeding and reproduction strategies evaluated by modeling to optimize the production and reproduction performance of dairy cows as well as their welfare

Starting date : 01/10/2024. Funding: INRAE Méta-programme DIGIT-BIO

This thesis is part of the flagship project "InSiliCow" (DIGIT-BIO metaprogram) which aims to develop and demonstrate the value of an operational digital twinning tool based on a dairy cow herd management simulator. Having a virtual farm (an exact copy of the characteristics of the farm studied) simulated by computer would be a useful decision-making tool for managing a real farm. The thesis aims to propose feeding and reproduction strategies adapted to the characteristics of dairy cows and to the technologies available on each farm in order to optimize production and reproduction performances, as well as cow health. This thesis is divided into 3 stages: 1) mobilization of the experimental farm databases of the InSiliCow project partners and appropriation of the simulator; 2) evaluation from these data of the effects of different factors (dietary characteristics, animal characteristics, level of lactation persistence, etc.) on cow performance and welfare (here integrating the health and behavior of the animal via the study of its physical activity and feeding behavior). These factors can then be integrated into the InSiliCow simulation model in order to improve the realism of the simulations. Finally, the last stage of this thesis will allow the use of the simulator to identify optimized reproduction and feeding strategies (in terms of performance and welfare) according to the individual characteristics and other factors listed above.