[A stochastic computer simulation model for integrated zootechnical, veterinary and economic instruction regarding...

A teaching version of a (main frame) simulation model is described in the present paper. The primary purpose of this model is to study the background and effects of management decisions with regard to reproductive performance in dairy cattle. The initial information available is derived from a fertility-health chart, commonly used on commercial dairy farms in the Netherlands. The user than goes through the programme in an interactive manner in order to establish the correct diagnosis as well as to give suitable advice. As all the revenues and costs are simulated, it is also possible to consider the effects of advice from the economic point of view. In imitating real farm conditions as closely as possible, various events and effects of decisions are stochastically involved, i.e. as random samples on appropriate probability distributions rather than as fixed values. People involved in herd health programmes, therefore are given the opportunity of exercising in a field in which farmers cannot permit experiments. The experience gained in using the model in teaching veterinary and agricultural students has been positive so far.