Characterisation of smallholding dairy farms in southern Brazil

2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 735 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucas F. Balcão ◽  
Cibele Longo ◽  
João H. C. Costa ◽  
Cintia Uller-Gómez ◽  
Luiz C. P. Machado Filho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Production Chain ◽  
Feeding Management ◽  
Hygiene Practices ◽  
Traditional Mode ◽  
Intensive Group

Smallholder dairy farmers that are responsible for 90% of the milk produced in Santa Catarina State, in southern Brazil, transitioned in recent decades from milk production for self-consumption to commercial dairying. The objective of this study was to identify groups sharing common characteristics, potentials and limitations and compare their main management practices, milk production and milk quality. We collected data from 124 farms distributed in 24 municipalities, using semi-structured interviews, inspection of the housing and milking environment, and live observations during one complete milking. Multivariate analyses revealed three groups of farmers: ‘Semi-Intensive’ (n = 51), ‘Pasture-Based’ (n = 50), and ‘Extensive’ (n = 23). Group differences included land and herd size (both larger in Semi-Intensive, P < 0.002); feeding management of dairy cows (e.g. greater use of pasture improvement techniques in Extensive and Pasture-Based, and more efficient rotational grazing management in Pasture-Based, P < 0.04); use of external inputs (e.g. lower use of concentrate and silage in Pasture-Based, P < 0.001); milking infrastructure and hygiene practices (better in Semi-Intensive, P < 0.04), and milk productivity (greater in Semi-Intensive, P < 0.001). The Extensive group conserves several features of the subsistence, traditional mode of milk production, and makes inefficient use of costly feeding practices, which threatens its sustainability. The two other groups of farms took different, almost opposite directions to deal with the limitations in farm area: the Semi-Intensive group have adopted an entrepreneurial farming style and the Pasture-Based, a more agroecological path. These results highlight the need to develop specific strategies and policies to help these different types of producers to coexist in the dairy production chain.

scholarly journals Adoption of Good Management Practices by the Gaushalas (Cow-shed) in Karnataka State, India

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Kalyan Mandi ◽  
S. Subash
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
In Situ Conservation ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
General Management ◽  
Good Management ◽  
Large N ◽  
Karnataka State

Gaushalas play a vital role in safeguarding the cattle wealth of our country. It is primarily occupied with providing shelter to cows and is catering mostly the needs of non-lactating, weak, unproductive and stray cattle. However, a few fore front Gaushalas also maintain nucleus herd for in-situ conservation of indigenous purebred cows and produce quality males so as to enhance productivity of indigenous breeds. With this view, present study was undertaken with the objective of understanding the level of adoption of good management practices by the Gaushalas. The study was conducted in Karnataka State involving 40 out of 80 registered Gaushalas, categorized as small (n=12), medium (n=18) and large (n=10) Gaushalas based on the herd size. Good management practices play an important role in improving the production performances of cattle, enhancing efficiency of animals in Gaushalas. In the present study ‘adoption’ was operationalised as the degree to which the good management practices viz., breeding, feeding, healthcare, general management and hygienic milk production, were adopted in the Gaushalas.

scholarly journals Typology of dairy production systems from West Parana State based on production indices and feed used

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 1565
Author(s):  
Marcelo Eduardo Neumann ◽  
Maximiliane Alavarse Zambom ◽  
Maichel Jhonattas Lange ◽  
Ferenc Istvan Bankuti ◽  
Deise Dalazen Castagnara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Hierarchical Cluster ◽  
Dairy Production ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
Concentrate Supplementation ◽  
Feeding Management ◽  
Fermented Feed

The dairy industry is characterised by a wide diversity of production systems. In this diverse environment, some of the difficulties can be minimised through the grouping of production units through the study of typology. The objective was to characterise the systems of milk production from West Parana State by considering production rates, area, power, facilities, and marketing of milk. To this end, 735 semi-structured interviews with dairy farmers were performed by using a questionnaire for management practices and feed that is used on the farms. To obtain the explanatory variables used for principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), a homogeneous division of 735 farmers in five groups was used. Ten per cent of producers were randomly selected for the performance of field visits to the properties, where a new questionnaire was applied with specific points regarding feeding management on the property, and feed was collected to determine its composition. The collected data were tabulated and feed was ranked based on the classification proposed by the NRC (2001). Analyses of feed were carried out in the Laboratory of Animal Nutrition of Unioeste. The West Parana State has five groups of dairy production systems. There is great variability in the fresh forages that are used, but maize silage is the main forage utilised for fermented feed, and concentrate supplementation is adopted by more than 60% of farms during both seasons. Changes in the levels of feed components are high among systems.

scholarly journals Practices to Reduce Milk Carbon Footprint on Grazing Dairy Farms in Southern Uruguay: Case Studies

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Lizarralde ◽  
Valentin Picasso ◽  
C. Alan Rotz ◽  
Monica Cadenazzi ◽  
Laura Astigarraga
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Important Indicator ◽  
Feeding Management ◽  
The Impact

<p>Carbon footprint (CF) is an increasingly important indicator of the impact of a product on climate change. This study followed international guidelines to quantify the CF of milk produced on 24 grazing-based dairy farms in southern Uruguay. Cows grazed all year-round and were supplemented with concentrate feeds. Dairy farms varied in annual milk yield per cow (5672 ± 1245 kg fat and protein corrected milk [FPCM]), milk production per ha (4075 ± 1360 kg FPCM/ha), cow stocking rate (0.71 ± 0.12 cows/ha), feed intake (13.3 ± 2.2 kg dry matter [DM]/cow/day) and percentage of concentrate in the diet (36 ± 12% DM) giving an average CF of 0.99 ± 0.10 kg CO<sub>2</sub> (equivalent [eq]/kg FPCM) over all farms. Total milk production per ha, milk yield per cow and dry matter intake explained most of the variation in CF. Strategies that provide the highest milk production per ha using high yielding cows and a high portion of lactating cows in the herd were identified as the best management practices for reducing CF. Low forage intake in Uruguay is often a consequence of low yielding pastures and high stocking rates. Overall, this study concluded that a reduction in CF is not achieved through increased concentrate intake unless forage consumption is also unconstrained. Improved pasture and feeding management can be used to reduce the CF of milk produced in Uruguay.</p>

scholarly journals ​A Study on the Housing and Feeding Management Practices Followed by Rural Milk Producers of Telangana State

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Kalyani ◽  
R.M.V. Prasad ◽  
Suresh Rathod ◽  
P. Jaya Laxmi
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Extreme Heat ◽  
Personal Interview ◽  
Dairy Farmers ◽  
Feeding Management ◽  
Group Feeding ◽  
Telangana State ◽  
Summer Grazing

An investigation was carried out to study the housing and feeding management practices followed by the dairy farmers in five districts of Telangana state. From each district one mandal and from each mandal five villages were selected. The data was collected from 150 farmers through personal interview utilizing a schedule developed for the purpose. It was observed that most of the dairy farmers (59.33%) had medium herd size and 59.33% of farmers housed their animals beside their houses while 14.67% and 26% of the farmers housed the animals in a separate shed and below the shade of tree, respectively. Most of the animal sheds (66%) in the study area had mud flooring. Majority of farmers (52%) were not taking any measures to protect animals from extreme heat in summer. Grazing and group feeding were most commonly practised except in Rangareddy district where most of farmers (56.67%) followed individual feeding. Majority of the farmers from Medak (50%) and Mahaboobnagar (60%) districts were following one time feeding of their animals, whereas, most farmers from Vikarabad (66.67%) fed two times in a day. In Rangareddy and Nalgonda, majority (66.67% and 63.33%) of the farmers were offering feed three times. Most of the farmers were producing fodder by themselves in Vikarabad, Medak, Nalgonda and Mahaboobnagar districts and their percentages were 66.67%, 63.33% 93.33% and 86.67%, respectively. Most of the farmers of Rangareddy district were procuring fodder from outside.

scholarly journals Soil Quality in Agroecological Production Areas in Southern Brazil: Indicators Based on Farmers' Perception

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 96
Author(s):  
Jacir João Chies ◽  
Helvio Debli Casalinho ◽  
Lizete Stumpf ◽  
Marília Alves Brito Pinto ◽  
Leonir Aldrigui Dutra Junior
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
History Of ◽  
Production Areas ◽  
The Impact

Farmers' local knowledge about soil quality and management practices should be considered to assess the impact of agricultural technology packages on the environmental performance of agro-ecosystems. This study aimed to evaluate the soil quality under agroecological production in southern Brazil, which was considered of good quality by the farmers' perception. From August to November 2017, ten farms from Liberdade settlement were visited, and semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect information about soil and agricultural knowledge. “What does good quality soil mean? What cares for preserve soil quality? Does the soil location in landscape influence conservation practices?” were the questions asked. In May 2018, soil samples were collected from each area, and chemical, physical, and biological attributes were determined. All farmers mentioned the organic matter indicated good soil quality; however, the study showed that most soils have low content, a consequence of the annual tillage adopted by all farmers for the implantation of seeds crops; Farmers indicated that a good quality soil has "life" with the presence of organisms. In our study, a low population of mites and springtails in most areas was observed. Positive farmers’ perception about the organic matter content and soil organism’s presence in their agroecological production areas come from the degradation history of the areas, at the same time that they attribute improvements in soil quality due to the actions adopted over the 10 years of agroecological production.

scholarly journals Evolution of the milk production chain in two municipalities in southern Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-124
Author(s):  
Edson André Gulart ◽  
João Eugenio Dias Larssen ◽  
Leonardo Moi da Lu ◽  
Matheus Rocha ◽  
Sérgio Inácio Blatt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Production Chain

Increasing milk production from forage: production systems and extension service preferences of the northern Australian dairy industry

2010 ◽  
Vol 50 (7) ◽  
pp. 705 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. G. Chataway ◽  
D. G. Barber ◽  
M. N. Callow
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Extension Service ◽  
Land Resource ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Resource Base ◽  
Enterprise Size

Dairy farms in Queensland were stratified by six regions, three levels of enterprise size (0.25–0.69, 0.7–1.39 or >1.4 ML milk/year) and two rainfall zones (<1000 and >1000 mm/year). Thirteen percent of farmers (89 farms) were surveyed using a prepared questionnaire to ascertain the current production systems, forage management practices and preferences for extension services. Herd size, dairy area, milk production per cow, the use of cropping, pit silage, concentrate input and irrigation input all increased (P < 0.05) with larger enterprises. At the same time the stocking rate on high milk volume farms was almost twice that on smaller farms. The drier zone (<1000 mm/year) was associated with lower stocking rate, higher per cow production and a greater emphasis on cropping and feedpad usage (P < 0.05). The importance of enterprise growth through intensification of the existing farm land resource base is indicated through these findings. Apart from ration formulation, processes used to manage cropping land, irrigation and grazing were primarily based on tradition or intuition. In valuing extension activities, farmers across all enterprise sizes were in general agreement that information products warranted only a small investment. As enterprise size increased, a more individualised and focussed extension service, delivered through targeted discussion groups and personal coaches was favoured.

scholarly journals Do Dairy Farming Systems Differ in Antimicrobial Use?

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 47
Author(s):  
Anna Zuliani ◽  
Isabella Lora ◽  
Marta Brščić ◽  
Andrea Rossi ◽  
Edi Piasentier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Dairy Farming ◽  
Human Medicine ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Antimicrobial Use ◽  
Dual Purpose ◽  
Essential Information

The quantitative assessment of antimicrobial use (AMU) in food-producing animals contributes to the provision of essential information for developing relevant and effective policies to reduce use and to control antimicrobial resistance. Information on AMU is available mainly for intensive dairy farming systems and specialized high-yielding breeds. The aim of this study is to investigate AMU in different dairy farming systems by comparing the treatment incidence in mountain farms with specialized high-yield dairy breeds or with dual-purpose breeds raised for milk production to the treatment incidence in lowland farms with specialized high-yield dairy breeds or with dual-purpose breeds raised for milk production. Significant differences were found only between the overall treatment incidence, as well as the treatment incidence of highest-priority critically important antimicrobials for human medicine, in lowland farms with high-yielding breeds and mountain farms with dual-purpose breeds. Mountain farms have a generally lower milk production and smaller herd size than lowland farms, provide cows with access to pasture, and limit concentrates in the diet. These management practices and the use of local/dual-purpose breeds could reduce the risk of production diseases and the consequent need for AMU.

scholarly journals Associations between herd-level feeding management practices, feed sorting, and milk production in freestall dairy farms

2013 ◽  
Vol 96 (7) ◽  
pp. 4759-4770 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.D. Sova ◽  
S.J. LeBlanc ◽  
B.W. McBride ◽  
T.J. DeVries
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Herd Level ◽  
Feeding Management
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