Animals 2015, 5(3), 479-494; doi:10.3390/ani5030367
Farm Management in Organic and Conventional Dairy Production Systems Based on Pasture in Southern Brazil and Its Consequences on Production and Milk Quality
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Department of Zootechny and Rural Development, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88034-001, Brazil
2
Graduate Program in Agroecosystems, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88034-001, Brazil
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Academic Editor: Alan Fredeen
Received: 9 December 2014 / Revised: 29 June 2015 / Accepted: 29 June 2015 / Published: 9 July 2015
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Animal Production)
Simple Summary
This study provides the characteristics of the conventional high input (C-HI), conventional low input (C-LI), and organic low input (O-LI) pasture-based production systems used in Southern Brazil, and its consequences on production and milk quality. C-HI farms had larger farms and herds, annual pasture with higher inputs and milk yield, whereas O-LI had smaller farms and herds, perennial pastures with lowest input and milk yields; C-LI was in between. O-LI farms may contribute to eco-system services, but low milk yield is a major concern. Hygienic and microbiological milk quality was poor for all farms and needs to be improved.Abstract
Pasture-based dairy production is used widely on family dairy farms in Southern Brazil. This study investigates conventional high input (C-HI), conventional low input (C-LI), and organic low input (O-LI) pasture-based systems and their effects on quantity and quality of the milk produced. We conducted technical site visits and interviews monthly over one year on 24 family farms (n = 8 per type). C-HI farms had the greatest total area (28.9 ha), greatest percentage of area with annual pasture (38.7%), largest number of lactating animals (26.2) and greatest milk yield per cow (22.8 kg·day−1). O-LI farms had the largest perennial pasture area (52.3%), with the greatest botanical richness during all seasons. Area of perennial pasture was positively correlated with number of species consumed by the animals (R2 = 0.74). Milk from O-LI farms had higher levels of fat and total solids only during the winter. Hygienic and microbiological quality of the milk was poor for all farms and need to be improved. C-HI farms had high milk yield related to high input, C-LI had intermediate characteristics and O-LI utilized a year round perennial pasture as a strategy to diminish the use of supplements in animal diets, which is an important aspect in ensuring production sustainability. View Full-Text
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MDPI and ACS Style
Kuhnen, S.; Stibuski, R.B.; Honorato, L.A.; Filho, L.C.P.M. Farm Management in Organic and Conventional Dairy Production Systems Based on Pasture in Southern Brazil and Its Consequences on Production and Milk Quality. Animals 2015, 5, 479-494.