Zootechnical and economic performance indexes of dairy herds with different production scales

This study aims to estimate the zootechnical and economic benchmarks of milk production systems, analyze production scale effects on dairy farming returns, and identify the system components that best represent the total and effective operational costs. We analyzed 22 size, zootechnical and economic performance indexes from 61 dairy farms located in Minas Gerais state, Brazil. The sample of herds were clustered according to three production strata. The results were compared using analysis of variance (normal distribution) and Kruskal-Wallis (non-normal distribution) tests, and post-hoc comparisons were undertaken with Fisher's least significant difference test. The relationship between some variables was tested using the Pearson correlation test. The production scale was best defined by the number of lactating cows (r=0.96) in comparison to the area (r=0.83). The production scale proved to be a suitable criterion for the analyses between different groups of producers, and it is more easily obtained and probably provides more accurate results. The milk production systems studied presented higher zootechnical indexes than those found in average of Brazilian farms, but lower than international indices or technologically advanced farms from other Brazilian regions. A greater production scale is a desirable condition, although it failed to ensure the economic efficiency of the herds studied. The components of total and effective operating costs that had the greatest representativeness were, in descending order, food and labor

Zootechnical profile of the dairy farms in southern Minas Gerais State, Brazil

Minas Gerais State (MG) and especially its southern portion, plays an important role in milk production nationwide. This study characterized the livestock profile in 40 dairy herds in southern MG. Information obtained through interviews was used to construct a database and describe the variability present in the group, highlighting what is typical in this sample in order to reach conclusions. The farms evaluated have a median total area of 110 ha (interquartile range/DI = 223 ha), 82 total cows (DI = 98 animals) with 62 in milk (DI = 80 animals), mean daily milk production of 20 ± 7.4 L/cow and median production of the herd of 1350 L (DI = 1725 L). In most of the farms (60%) replacement animals are reared in semi-intensive systems; twice daily milked is most common (87.5%) using milking machinery with a pipeline 72.5%), and artificial insemination (AI) is practiced (65%). Regarding animal health, a significant proportion of the producers have not adopted a health management protocol including such practices as burying placentas (7.5%) and aborted fetuses (52.6%). These results indicate that there is great heterogeneity in milk production procedures used in southern MG and that most of the milk is supplied by small farms, based on family labor and use of technologies such as AI and mechanical milking

Socioeconomic factors associated with the perception and attitude of consumers toward traced meat in Contagem, Minas Gerais, Brazil

The aim of this study was to analyze knowledge related to bovine traceability and to profile the perception and attitude of consumers toward traced beef in Contagem, Minas Gerais, Brazil; in addition to verifying which socioeconomic factors are related to purchasing decisions regarding traced meat. The variables were described and a multiple model Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) logistic regression was elaborated to identify possible associations between the socio-economic characteristics of consumers and the key attributes of meat that influence their decision to purchase it. Data were accumulated through interviews of 400 consumers in April 2012. The presence of the stamp of the Brazilian Federal Inspection Service (SIF) on the product was the attribute that most influenced the consumers’ purchasing decisions. The majority of the interviewed people had never heard about beef traceability. Among those who had heard about it, most were willing to pay more for traced meat. However, there are disadvantages associated with traceability, mainly in relation to increased meat price. Consumers with higher levels of education and income had a better understanding of this type of certification; moreover, higher monthly incomes were associated with greater consumer willingness to pay more for traced meat

Technical and economic efficiency of bovine weighing methods

The objective of this study was to evaluate the technical and economic efficiency of different methods of cattle weighing, and to develop mathematical equations to estimate the breakeven point for the adoption of electronic weighing, i.e., to estimate how many animals are required for the acquisition and use of an electronic scale to be economically viable. The survey was conducted in confined beef cattle, from the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology in the south of Minas Gerais, IFSUL DE MINAS, Muzambinho Campus, from July to December 2014. Two methods of weighing cattle were evaluated: an electronic scale and a tape measure, using a barimetric tape for dairy cattle and a barimetric tape for beef cattle, and a conventional tape measure involving the conversion of centimeters into body weight using a specific table. Thirty-three animals identified with plastic ear tags were weighed using each method. Animals of the Nellore, Senepol, Girolando, and Red-angus breeds, aged 0–1, 1–2, and 2–3 years, were weighed 402 times in total. The time taken to weigh animals with the electronic scale was the lowest, followed by that with the barimetric tape, and that with conventional tape measure with conversion. The electronic scale exhibited the greatest technical efficiency, owing to the lack of error and the lowest time required to weigh animals. However, the costs associated with the use of this equipment were the highest, which depended on the purchasing cost. The mathematical equations developed will help technicians and cattle farmers to rapidly and precisely estimate the minimum number of animals that should compose a production system to ensure economic viability for the adoption of an electronic method to weigh cattle

Fatores de risco para recorrência de mastite clínica em bovinos leiteiros

O presente estudo teve por objetivo investigar a associação entre o número de partos e o estágio de lactação com a recorrência de mastite clínica

Association between technical and economic performance indexes and dairy farm profitability

This study aimed to evaluate the determinant profitability indexes of typical dairy farms located in Brazil. The empirical sample included detailed technical and financial information of 61 Brazilian dairy farms across a longitudinal data set (10 years). Numerous technical and economic indexes were estimated, and Pearson’s correlation coefficients were calculated to determine the relationship between each index and profitability. After selecting the significant indexes, regression equations were generated to determine the relationship between each index and profitability. The results of the analysis revealed significant interactions between different combinations of technical and financial indexes. Milk production per lactating cow and area were the indexes most positively correlated with profitability. In contrast, total unit cost in relation to the price of milk, total operating cost in relation to total revenues, and total unit operating cost in relation to the price of milk were the indexes most negatively correlated with profitability. Overall, these results indicate that profits could significantly increase if dairy farm production is conducted with more intensive use of inputs and production factors and better combinations of inputs and output

El uso de lactonas y bencimidazol en el control de la helmintiasis gastrointestinal en terneros lecheros en la fase de crecimiento

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different anthelmintics in the control of gastrointestinal helminthiasis and weight gain of growing dairy calves. The experiment was conducted in a specialized system of milk production in the municipality of Boa Esperança, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Thirty-five female Holstein, calves between three and four months old, were divided equally into five treatments: G1, 1% ivermectin (200ìg/kg, generic); G2, albendazole sulphoxide; G3, abamectin; G4, doramectin, and G5, ivermectin 1% (reference). Animals treated with doramectin gained more weight (P <0.05) than the group that received albendazole. EPG counts were similar (P >0.05) among treatments. The items that contributed most to operational cost, in descending order, were feed; purchase of animals; machinery use; hand labor; vaccine; and lastly, anthelmintics. Doramectin, despite contributing the most to operational cost among the anthelmintics, gave superior weight gain when compared to albendazole, which had the second-lowest anthelmintics cost in this study. Thus, even with a higher cost, doramectin provided better animal performance and can be recommended for use in this dairy operation.Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar el efecto de diferentes antihelmínticos en el control de la helmintiasis intestinal y el aumento de los terneros lecheros en la fase de crecimiento. El experimento se realizó en un sistema especializado de producción de leche en el municipio de Boa Esperança, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Treinta y cinco hembras Holstein, entre tres y cuatro meses de edad, fueron divididos en cinco tratamientos: 1% de ivermectina (200μg/kg, genérico), el albendazol sulfóxido (, abamectina, doramectina e ivermectina al 1% (referencia). los animales tratados con doramectina mostraron una mayor ganancia de peso (P 0,05) entre los tratamientos. doramectina, a pesar de tener la mayor contribución a los gastos en el costo operacional entre antihelmínticos, también mostró el mayor efecto sobre la ganancia de peso en comparación con albendazol, que tenía el segundo más bajo de contribución a los gastos de estos fármacos sobre la propiedad estudiada. resistencia observada elementos parásitos a todos los antihelmínticos utilizados en este estudio, lo que probablemente está relacionado con la falta de diferencia en los recuentos de OPG entre tratamientos en el período analizado. con mayor representatividad en los costos operativos, en orden descendente, fueron alimentación, compra de animales, tiempo / máquina, mano de obra, vacuna, y, finalmente, los antihelmínticos

Fatores de proteção e destino de dejetos em propriedades rurais da micro região sul do Rio Grande do Sul.

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo verificar quais os fatores de proteção utilizados e qual o destino do lixo e dos dejetos humanos em propriedades rurais localizadas no sul do Rio Grande do Sul

Aspectos epidemiológicos da dengue no município de Belo Horizonte - Minas Gerais, Brasil

O local de estudo foi o município de Belo Horizonte, situado no estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. A população estimada em 2020 era de 2.521.564 habitantes (IBGE, 2020). Foi realizado um estudo epidemiológico observacional, a partir dos dados obtidos do banco de dados do Sinan (Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação), mantidos pela Gerência da Vigilância Epidemiológica (GVIGE) da Secretaria Municipal de Saúde (SMS) de Belo Horizonte e trabalhados pelo Observatório de Saúde Urbana de Belo Horizonte/UFMG (OSUBH). Foram analisados os casos de dengue entre os anos de 2016 e 2019, e sua distribuição de acordo com os meses, faixa etária e sexo dos indivíduos

Efeito do nível tecnológico na rentabilidade de sistemas de produção de leite participantes do programa “Balde Cheio”: um estudo multicasos

Objetivou-se analisar o efeito do nível tecnológico na rentabilidade de 20 unidades demonstrativas (UD) participantes do programa “Balde Cheio”, no estado do RJ, no período de janeiro a dezembro de 2011.  Pretendeu-se, ainda, identificar os componentes que exerceram maior influência sobre os custos total e operacional efetivo e o impacto de cada um deles na receita. Os dados foram analisados utilizando-se o software PASW 18.0. Utilizou-se o modelo de regressão linear múltipla com o método stepwise, para identificar os componentes do custo de produção que mais influenciaram na margem líquida, na lucratividade e na rentabilidade. O nível tecnológico influenciou na lucratividade e rentabilidade. Na análise econômica, por apresentar resultado positivo, o estrato com médio nível tecnológico teve viabilidade econômica e condições de produzir no curto, médio e longo prazos, com consequente capitalização dos pecuaristas; enquanto que os estratos com baixo e alto níveis tecnológicos apresentaram resultado negativo, indicando que os produtores estão se descapitalizando, pois as receitas auferidas não foram suficientes para pagar seus custos totais. Os itens componentes do custo operacional efetivo que exerceram maiores representatividades nos estratos médios e alto nível tecnológico, em ordem decrescente, foram a alimentação, mão de obra e despesas diversas; enquanto que  no estrato baixo nível tecnológico foram a alimentação, despesas diversas e mão de obra. Com relação aos itens componentes do custo total, foram a alimentação, mão de obra e remuneração do capital investido.Objetivou-se analisar o efeito do nível tecnológico na rentabilidade de 20 unidades demonstrativas (UD) participantes do programa “Balde Cheio”, no estado do RJ, no período de janeiro a dezembro de 2011. Pretendeu-se, ainda, identificar os componentes que exerceram maior influência sobre os custos total e operacional efetivo e o impacto de cada um deles na receita. Os dados foram analisados utilizandose o software PASW 18.0. Utilizou-se o modelo de regressão linear múltipla com o método stepwise, para identificar os componentes do custo de produção que mais influenciaram na margem líquida, na lucratividade e na rentabilidade. O nível tecnológico influenciou na lucratividade e rentabilidade. Na análise econômica, por apresentar resultado positivo, o estrato com médio nível tecnológico teve viabilidade econômica e condições de produzir no curto, médio e longo prazos, com conseqüente capitalização dos pecuaristas; enquanto que os estratos com baixo e alto níveis tecnológicos apresentaram resultado negativo, indicando que os produtores estão se descapitalizando, pois as receitas auferidas não foram suficientes para pagar seus custos totais. Os itens componentes do custo operacional efetivo que exerceram maiores representatividades nos estratos médios e alto nível tecnológico, em ordem decrescente, foram a alimentação, mão de obra e despesas diversas; enquanto que no estrato baixo nível tecnológico foram a alimentação, despesas diversas e mão de obra. Com relação aos itens componentes do custo total, foram a alimentação, mão de obra e remuneração do capital investido