Identification of farm manager types through cluster analysis of calf and heifer management practices

Cluster analysis (a type of data analysis used successfully in other disciplines to create categories or classify groups) can contribute to preventive veterinary medicine in many areas such as calf and heifer management. Its contribution lies in the identification of subgroups that share managerial techniques that need to be altered, adopted or eliminated to improve herd health management and thus prevent diseases. As a result of the identification of these subgroups, prevention strategies can be more efficient and effective. In this particular study of a random sample of 329 Pennsylvania dairy herds, five subgroups of dairy farmers were differentiated by their use of management practices in preventive health, nutrition, reproduction, and housing. These five management profiles were related to age of first calving, thus adding to confidence in the subgroups and their implication for preventive veterinary medicine.