Efficiency of Manchega Sheep Milk Intended for Cheesemaking and Determination of Factors Causing Inefficiency

Understanding the factors that determine and regulate cheese yield would allow, through deterministic parametric efficiency models, the determination of the most appropriate milk characteristics for the industry, and the estimation of a technological value for these characteristics. The present study aims to evaluate coagulation performance of Manchega sheep milk intended for cheesemaking and explores two models to determine milk technological efficiency. For this purpose, 1200 Manchega sheep milk samples were collected, and analyses were performed for composition, milk coagulation properties (MCP), somatic cell count (SCC), and milk color values. A first model was built based on curd yield (CE) and a second one based on dry curd yield (DCE). GLM and MANCOVA analyses were used to identify the factors that determine curd yield efficiency, which mainly depended on pH, casein, and lactose content and, to a lesser extent, on the speed of coagulation and curd firmness. When comparing both models, differences were linked to the water retention capacity of the curd. Based on this, the DCE model was considered much more accurate for prediction of coagulation efficiency in a wider variety of cheeses, as it does not seem to be affected by moisture loss

Targeting Environmental and Technical Parameters through Eco-Efficiency Criteria for Iberian Pig Farms in the dehesa Ecosystem

Eco-efficiency could be defined as the simultaneous ability to achieve acceptable economic results with the least possible environmental degradation. Its analysis in crop and livestock production systems has become a hot topic among politicians and scientists. Pig pasture production systems are in high commercial demand because they are associated with high quality and environmentally friendly products. This work aimed to assess the eco-efficiency of pig farms and subsequently explore the determinants of inefficiency in the dehesa ecosystem in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula. Farmers from 35 randomly selected farms were interviewed to obtain farm-level data. The eco-efficiency level was calculated through a joined data envelopment analysis (DEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) approach. Subsequently, a truncated Tobit model was applied to determine factors associated with inefficiency. The results of the research revealed that Iberian pig farms are highly eco-efficient. The estimated average eco-efficiency score is 0.919 and ranges from 0.479 to 1, suggesting that the average farm could increase its value by about 8.1%. This means that the aggregate environmental pressures could be reduced by approximately this proportion (8%) while maintaining the same input level. The determinants related to social and demographic characteristics that positively affected eco-efficiency were the number of children, while years of farm activity and educational level had a negative effect. On the other hand, farm’s characteristics and the type of management, the percentage of own surface area, the percentage of livestock use, and the high proportion of pigs fattened in montanera, positively affected the eco-efficiency leve

Beef from Calves Finished with a Diet Based on Concentrate Rich in Agro-Industrial By-Products: Acceptability and Quality Label Preferences in Spanish Meat Consumers

Conjoint analysis was used to estimate the relative importance of some of the main extrinsic attributes and quality labels of beef in three Spanish cities (Córdoba, Marbella, and Santa Pola) in a study performed with 300 individuals. Consumers were segmented according to their frequency of consumption. Willingness to pay for different meats was also calculated from the conjoint analysis results. Consumer liking of beef that had been finished with an alternative concentrate rich in agro-industrial by-products and aged for three different durations as compared to conventionally finished beef was also evaluated using the same consumers. The most important attribute for Spanish consumers was the price (28%), followed by origin (25%), animal welfare certification (19%), protected geographical indication (14%), and organic agriculture certification (14%). Most consumers preferred beef from Spain at the lowest possible price and with the highest number of quality labels. Consumers were willing to pay a premium of 1.49, 3.61, and 5.53 EUR over 14 EUR/kg for organic certification, protected geographical indication, and animal welfare certification, respectively. Sensory analysis revealed that, for regular consumers, beef finished with an alternative concentrate rich in agro-industrial by-products offered several hedonic advantages (color, flavor, and tenderness) when compared to beef finished using a conventional diet, while occasional consumers did not find any difference between the two kinds of meat

Nivel de competitividad y eficiencia de la producción ganadera

La Tesis aborda el estudio de la eficiencia técnica, desde el punto de vista de la mejora de la competitividad y la viabilidad de los sistemas de vacuno de leche pastoriles localizados en La Pampa (Argentina). Los datos utilizados proceden de encuestas directas realizadas durante 2007 a ganaderos de 57 explotaciones. En primer lugar se establece una tipología de sistemas mediante una secuencia analítica multivariante. El análisis de componentes principales reveló 4 factores que explican el 76,41% de la variabilidad original. El análisis cluster identificó cinco sistemas lecheros. Los grupos I, III y V se dedican exclusivamente a la producción de leche y se diferencian en la dimensión, productividad, mano de obra familiar e intensificación. Los grupos II y IV son explotaciones de gran superficie, que diversifican la producción, combinando la actividad lechera con el engorde bovino y la agricultura. La producción lechera se modelizó respecto a la dimensión del rebaño y el consumo de concentrado. Mediante la utilización de técnicas paramétricas se estimó una eficiencia técnica media de 35% y se establecieron tres niveles de eficiencia. Las variables que explican las diferencias según el nivel de eficiencia son la dimensión, la productividad, el porcentaje de praderas permanentes, la utilización de suplementación, la productividad laboral y el grado de diversificación de las explotaciones. El 59,6% de las explotaciones no son viables económicamente. Los principales factores que inciden en la mejora de la viabilidad son: la mejora de las pautas de alimentación y utilización del concentrado; la optimización de la asignación de insumos y la dimensión de las explotaciones. A continuación se estudió el nivel de eficiencia utilizando la técnica no paramétrica, Análisis Envolvente de Datos (DEA); y los resultados de las explotaciones ineficientes se compararon con los de las mejores prácticas observadas, que forman la frontera. Para el cálculo de la eficiencia se utilizó un modelo con orientación output asumiendo rendimientos variables a escala. La eficiencia técnica pura fue del 77%. La producción podría incrementarse en un 23% mediante la modificación en el uso de los recursos, lo que implicaría la modificación de la superficie agrícola, el tamaño del rebaño, la carga ganadera, la alimentación suplementaria y el uso de mano de obra. Las explotaciones eficientes son de alta especialización lechera y dimensión reducida, sin uso de...The Thesis deals with the study of technical efficiency from the point of view of improving the competitiveness and viability of the systems of grazing dairy cattle located in La Pampa (Argentina). The data used comes from direct surveys carried out in 2007 to farmers from 57 farms. Firstly, a typology of systems was established through a multivariate analytical sequence. The principal component analysis revealed four factors explaining 76.41% of the original variability. Cluster analysis identified five dairy systems. Groups I, III and V are dedicated exclusively to the production of milk and differ in size, productivity, family labor and intensification. Groups II and IV are large-area farms, diversified production, dairy farming combined with fattening cattle and agriculture. Milk production was modeled with respect to the size of the herd and concentrate intake by using parametric techniques, estimated average technical efficiency of 35% and set three levels of efficiency. The variables that explain the differences by level of efficiency are the size, productivity, the percentage of permanent pastures, the use of supplementation, labor productivity and the degree of diversification of the farms. 59.6% of farms are not economically viable. The main factors that affect the improvement of viability are: improving feeding patterns, use of the concentrate, the optimization of the allocation of inputs and farm size. Then we studied the level of technical efficiency using nonparametric Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and the results of inefficient farms was compared with those of the best practices observed, forming the frontier. The efficiency model was calculated assuming an output-oriented variable returns to scale. Pure technical efficiency was 77%. The production could increase by 23% by modifying the use of resources, which would imply the modification of agricultural land, herd size, stocking density, supplementary feeding and the use of labor. Efficient farms are highly specialized in dairy and are small in size, without supplementation and the use of family labor. Less efficient farms are large-scale and diversified production, which increases the complexity of the interactions between the different elements of the system. Finally, based on the information generated, courses of action are recommended to improve system efficiency, which will enhance competitiveness in the dairy sector. Farms where the dairy industry plays..

Technical and economical characterization and typology of dairy farms in La Pampa (Argentina)

El objetivo de este trabajo fue caracterizar y establecer una tipología de las explotaciones lecheras de La Pampa argentina. Los datos fueron recogidos mediante encuestas directas a 57 ganaderos y reflejan los principales aspectos técnicos, económicos y productivos de las explotaciones. La tipología fue establecida utilizando técnicas analíticas multivariantes. El análisis de componentes principales reveló cuatro factores que explican el 76,41% de la variabilidad original. El análisis cluster identificó cinco sistemas lecheros. Los grupos I, III y V se dedican exclusivamente a la producción de leche y se diferencian en la superficie, productividad, mano de obra familiar e intensificación. El grupo V corresponde a explotaciones de gran tamaño y elevado nivel tecnológico, que utilizan altos niveles de suplementación y obtienen una elevada productividad física y económica. El grupo I identifica a explotaciones de superficie intermedia y menor tecnología, intensificación y productividad. Principalmente la superficie explica las diferencias en los resultados económicos de ambos grupos. El grupo III consiste en explotaciones familiares de pequeña superficie y con más bajos rendimientos productivos y económicos, fundamentalmente debido a una inadecuada gestión de la mano de obra. Los grupos II y IV son explotaciones de gran superficie, que combinan la actividad lechera con el engorde bovino y la agricultura. El grupo II consiste en explotaciones familiares de baja productividad con ineficiencia reproductiva. El grupo IV se conforma por explotaciones no familiares y con una actividad lechera de mayor tamaño, productividad y eficiencia reproductiva. Estas diferencias se trasladan en diferentes resultados econó[email protected] aim of this study was to characterize and determine a typology of dairy farms in La Pampa, Argentina. Surveys were conducted among 57 farmers to establish the main technical, economical and productive aspects of the dairy farms. The typology was determined by multivariate analysis. A principal component analysis showed four factors explaining 76.41% of the original variance. A cluster analysis identified five different dairy systems. Groups I, III and V are focused on dairy and differ among them in size, productivity, family labor, and intensification. Group V are very large farms with high technological level, high supplementation usage and high productivity. These are non-family businesses that frequently make use of external managers and health services. Group I are farms of intermediate size and lower technological level, intensification, and productivity. The farm size mainly explains the differences in economical profits among both groups. Group III consists of small family farms, which reach the lowest productive and economic yields mostly due to poor performance of the labor. Groups II and IV are farms of large size which combine dairy, cattle fattening and agricultural crops. Group II consists of low productivity family farms with high reproductive inefficiency. Group IV is composed by non-family businesses, with a larger dairy production, productivity, and reproductive efficiency. These differences lead to different economical profits between farms