Linear and nonlinear models to describe the lactation curve of Girolando cows

Abstract The objective of this work was to compare the main linear and nonlinear models used to describe lactation curves and to evaluate the nonlinearity of the nonlinear models, in order to obtain the most adequate model to describe the lactation curves of the Girolando breed. Data from 165 lactations of 89 3/4 Holstein + 1/4 Gyr cows were used, and average yield was calculated every 20 days up to 310 days of lactation. Seventeen models of lactation curves available in the literature were compared. The selection of the best model was based on the curvature measures of Bates & Watts, the bias of Box, adjusted coefficient of determination, Akaike’s information criterion, and residual standard deviation. The linear model of Cobuci estimated a yield peak of 16.7 kg at 40 days of lactation, whereas the nonlinear model of Wood estimated a yield peak of 16.8 kg at 41 days of lactation and a persistence of 6.82. Nonlinearity measures were the most appropriate for selecting the most suitable nonlinear model for the description of lactation curves. To describe the lactation curves of the Girolando breed, the most suitable linear model is that of Cobuci and the nonlinear model is that of Wood.