Caracterização do sistema de produção em propriedades leiteiras de economia familiar em Presidente Olegário - MG: fase Recria de Fêmeas

Abstract

The objective of this study was to characterize family-owned dairy farms regarding aspects related to the rearing of heifers. The data came from 12 dairy farms, located in the Northwest region of Minas Gerais, in the municipality of Presidente Olegário, community of Cachoeirinha/Boa Vista; in the period between May and June 2016. After data collection, the data were recorded in Sphinx® software spreadsheets and the answers were grouped by their categorization and frequency. Data from the evaluated properties showed that the low scholarity, predominance of family labor, and low participation of cows in lactation in the herds are common characteristics of the farmers. Several deficiencies have been identified that begin with weaning of calves and continues through the whole period up to the heifers’ first mating. Most of the farmers offer supplementary feeding of houghage and concentrates, however, the lack of technical criteria for the division of groups and feeding of heifers may be contributing significantly to the loss of technical and economic efficiency in the evaluated farms. Weight and age at first mating are not adequate to the breed standard adopted in the properties, which together with the lack of correct sanitary management, can damage the future productivity of the replacement females as well as the offtake and the genetic improvement of the herds.