Age at first calving and productive performance of primiparous Holsteins.

This study investigated the age at first calving in Holstein heifers and its impact on various production parameters. A sample of 737 Holstein heifers born between 2015 and 2018 and finishing their first lactations between 2018 and 2020 was included. Cluster analysis revealed three groups based on age at first calving: high precocity, medium precocity and low precocity. Medium-precocity group exhibited the highest 305-day milk yield and peak milk production. Additionally, the same group demonstrated superior mean production per lactation, 305-day milk protein content, and 305-day milk yield. The lowest somatic cell count was found in the low-precocity group. In conclusion, medium-precocity cows showed better results such as higher 305-day milk yield and peak milk production.

Biosecurity, environmental sustainability, and typological characteristics of broiler farms in Paraná State, Brazil.

Brazil's relevant participation in the global broiler market implies the need to face a set of challenges related to biosecurity and environmental sustainability. In this study, we aimed to assess the level of biosecurity of broiler farms in Paraná State, Brazil, and investigate associations of biosecurity performance with sustainability practices and farm and farmer characteristics. Data from 70 broiler farms were collected through on-site interviews. The questionnaires included questions about production variables, biosecurity, sustainability practices, and sociodemographic characteristics of the farm operator. Biosecurity data were subjected to hierarchical cluster analysis, revealing two groups, one comprising low biosecurity farms and the other comprising high biosecurity farms. Production and sustainability data were subjected to factor analysis. Three factors were identified: Farmer knowledge and training, Mandatory environmental sustainability practices, and Non-mandatory environmental sustainability practices. Although the analyzed farms were similar in terms of production variables and operated under the same laws and contractual terms, they differed significantly in biosecurity level. These findings suggest that other factors besides production characteristics and the institutional environment may influence biosecurity, such as the importance attributed by farmers to biosecurity measures. Typological analysis revealed that high biosecurity farms had greater compliance with both mandatory and non-mandatory environmental sustainability requirements. It was also found that operators of high biosecurity farms had a higher education level than those who operated low biosecurity farms.

A typology of corporate and family dairy farms in eastern Goiás, Brazil / Tipologia de sistemas produtivos leiteiros familiares e patronais na região leste de Goiás

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to identify a typology of corporate and family dairy farms in eastern Goiás, Brazil. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 170 farm operators in the municipalities of Cristalina, Luziânia, and Silvânia. Dairy farms were categorized into two groups, corporate and family farms. Data were analyzed by exploratory factor analysis using principal component analysis extraction. Four factors were identified: Milking management (F1), Production scale (F2), Productivity (F3), and Sociodemographic characteristics (F4). Corporate and family farms were then compared in terms of factor scores. Corporate farms scored higher on F1 and F2 and were characterized by larger production scale, greater adoption of milking management and hygiene practices; and consequently, greater alignment with institutional and market demands. These results indicated that corporate dairy farms in eastern Goiás have higher sustainability and are more likely to remain in business than family dairy farms.

RESUMO: Buscou-se analisar a tipologia de sistemas produtivos leiteiros familiares e patronais, localizados na região leste do estado de Goiás. Foram aplicados formulários semiestruturados em 170 sistemas produtivos leiteiros nas cidades de Cristalina, Luziânia e Silvânia. Os sistemas leiteiros foram segregados em dois grupos G1: produtores familiares e G2 produtores patronais. Para as demais variáveis foi aplicada a técnica de Análise Fatorial Exploratória - AFE com método de extração de Componentes Principais - ACP. Quatro Fatores foram obtidos: F1- manejo de ordenha, F2 - escala de produção, F3 - produtividade e, F4 - social. Os grupos G1 e G2 foram comparados frente aos Fatores. Produtores de leite patronais (G2) apresentaram maiores resultados para F1 e F2 quando comparados com produtores de leite familiares (G1). Desta forma, entre os sistemas produtivos leiteiros analisados, aqueles classificados como patronais (G2) apresentaram maior escala de produção de leite, maior frequência na adoção práticas de manejo e higiene de ordenha e portanto, estão mais adequados as demandas institucionais e de mercado atuais.

Determinants of Undesirable Behaviors in American Quarter Horses Housed in Box Stalls.

The objective of this study was to investigate the management practices that affect undesirable behaviors in American Quarter Horses (AQH) confined to box stalls. A total of 105 adult AQH, comprising 29 females, 22 intact males, and 54 castrated males, housed in box stalls for at least 30 days, were included in the study. Behavioral activities were recorded through visual inspection at 5-min intervals over a 24-h period by two observers who took turns in shifts of 4 hours. Parameters related to animal characteristics, stall conditions, handling, training, nutrients supplied, and feeding behaviors were considered independent variables, and the time spent in undesirable behaviors was the dependent variable. Data were subjected to exploratory factor analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis. Four principal components were extracted. Two clusters were identified based on the time spent in undesirable behaviors: low-incidence group (25 ± 13 minutes) and high-incidence group (97 ± 52 minutes). Nutritional status (P = .1447), physiological status (P = .1372), and training routine (P = .1160) had no significant effects on the dependent variable; however, the effect of feeding behavior (P = .0444) was significant. A low dry matter intake/requirement ratio (P = .0470) and a high heart rate at rest (P = .0444) indicated that inadequate nutrient supply is a determinant of the time spent in undesirable behaviors in AQH. Aspects related to management practices such as horse nutrition, feeding behaviors, and training routine should be considered to reduce undesirable behaviors in AQH.

Práticas de higiene e a qualidade do leite: uma análise a partir da técnica de clusters / Hygiene practices and milk quality: an analysis from the cluster technique / Prácticas de higiene y la calidad de la leche: un análisis desde la técnica de clusters

O objetivo proposto neste artigo foi demonstrar a viabilidade do uso da técnica de formação de clusters hierárquicos para analisar a relação entre as práticas de manejo e higiene de ordenha e suas implicações para a qualidade do leite. Foi desenvolvida pesquisa a campo e realizada coleta de dados referente a qualidade do leite de produtores da Região de Mococa, SP. A partir dessas, 455 casos foram submetidos à análise de cluster hierárquico. Dois grupos foram definidos, o primeiro, (grupo 1) caracterizado por produtores com baixa aplicação de práticas de manejo e higiene de ordenha e o segundo (grupo 2), por produtores com elevada aplicação dessas práticas. Entre os grupos, foi aplicado teste de hipóteses para comparação de diferenças percentuais entre as variáveis de manejo e higiene de ordenha. Em etapa subsequente foi feita análise descritiva e de verificação de igualdade entre os grupos, segundo variáveis de qualidade do leite. A técnica de formação de clusters hierárquicos mostrou-se adequada para análise da relação entre práticas de manejo e higiene de ordenha. Produtores rurais que adotam com maior frequência tais práticas, obtém leite de melhor qualidade.(AU)

The aim of this paper was to demonstrate the feasibility of using the hierarchical clusters technique to analyze the relationship between management practices and milking hygiene and the implications on milk quality. A field research was developed and carried out to collect data regarding the quality of milk produced in a dairy cooperative located in Mococa, SP. From these, 455 cases were submitted to the hierarchical cluster analysis. Two groups were defined, the first one (group 1) contained producers with low application management practices and milking hygiene, while the second one (group 2) of producers with high application of these practices. The hypothesis test was applied between the groups to compare the percentage differences between management variables and hygienic milking. Subsequently, a descriptive analysis was performed and the equality between groups was checked against milk quality variables. The hierarchical cluster formation technique was adequate for analyzing the relationship between management practices and milking hygiene. Farmers who more often adopt these practices provide better quality milk.(AU)

El objetivo propuesto en este artículo ha sido demostrar la viabilidad de uso de la técnica de formación de clusters jerárquicos, para analizar la relación entre las prácticas de manejo e higiene de ordeña, y sus implicaciones para la calidad de la leche. Se ha desarrollado investigación de campo y recogidos datos referente la calidad de la leche de productores de la Región de Mococa, SP. Así, 455 casos han sido sometidos a análisis de cluster jerárquico. Dos grupos fueron definidos, el primero (grupo 1) caracterizado por productores con baja aplicación de prácticas de manejo e higiene de ordeña, el segundo grupo (grupo 2), por productores con elevada aplicación de esas prácticas. Entre los grupos, se ha utilizado prueba de hipótesis para comparación de diferencias porcentuales entre las variables de manejo e higiene de ordeña. En la próxima etapa se ha hecho análisis descriptiva y de verificación de igualdad entre los grupos, según variables de calidad de la leche. La técnica de formación de clusters jerárquicos se ha mostrado adecuada para análisis de relación entre prácticas de manejo e higiene de ordeña. Productores rurales que adoptan con mayor frecuencia tales prácticas, obtienen mejor calidad de la leche.(AU)

Horizontal arrangements: strategy for reducing the asymmetry information for dairy farmers in Paraná, Brazil / Arranjos horizontais: estratégia para redução da assimetria de informações para produtores de leite no Paraná, Brasil

An empirical investigation was conducted to study whether dairy farmers involved in horizontal arrangements (HA) have lower information asymmetry than those who do not participate in HA. Our assumption is that greater access to information results in fewer risky decisions in production systems. One hundred and twenty semi-structured questionnaires were applied to dairy farmers located in four different geographical regions in Paraná State, Brazil. Exploratory factor analysis was used to define factors related to information asymmetry in dairy agribusiness system (DAS) and four factors were defined. In a second step, the 120 dairy farmers were split into two groups: the first one involved in HA and the second one not involved in HA. Mean test (t-student) were performed to compare these groups between factors. Significant differences (P<0.05) were observed for factors related to transaction information and for general market information, and dairy farmers participating in HA achieved the greatest values. Finally, it can be concluded that dairy farmers who participate in HA have higher access to information, which can create an environment with lower information asymmetry and, consequently, be subject to lower risks than dairy farmers who do not participate in HA.

O objetivo definido neste trabalho foi verificar se produtores de leite que participam de arranjos horizontais (AH) possuem menor assimetria de informações, frente àqueles que não participam desses arranjos. Parte-se do pressuposto de que o maior acesso à informação resulta em menor risco para o produtor rural. Foram aplicados 120 questionários semiestruturados junto a produtores rurais de leite, localizados em quatro macrorregiões do Estado do Paraná. Foi realizada a análise fatorial exploratória (AFE) para definição de fatores relacionados à assimetria de informação em Sistemas Produtivos Leiteiros (SPL's). Os 120 produtores entrevistados foram divididos em dois grupos: aqueles que participavam de arranjos horizontais (AH) e aqueles que não participavam. Esses grupos foram confrontados com os fatores gerados na análise anterior. Foi encontrada diferença significativa (P<0,05) para os fatores "Informações relacionadas às transações" e "Informações globais para a atividade", sendo que produtores de leite que participavam de arranjos horizontais obtiveram melhores resultados. Por fim, conclui-se que produtores que participam de AH têm mais acesso à informação, o que pode criar um ambiente de menor assimetria de informações e consequentemente de menor risco, comparativamente a produtores que não participam de AH.