Tropical regions of Latin America have been incorporated into development in recent decades, with extensive cattle ranching as one of the main economic activities but without adequate planning, drastically degrading the ecosystem. In recent years, buffalo production has been incorporated into the region, with possibilities for development in profitable and sustainable models. To study this option in depth, a broad bibliographic review was carried out focusing on the ecological characteristics of tropical zones and the physiological and productive characteristics of buffaloes. We also investigated the structure and functioning of dual-purpose systems that have worked in cattle and that can be optimized with this alternative animal species. The possibility of taking sustainable advantage of abundant forage resources in the region was detected through intensive grazing models, as well as agrosilvopastoral systems, due to the gregarious qualities of buffaloes and responding to their thermoregulation needs. In this way, the productive and regenerative capacities of the dual-purpose system could be increased, as well as the quality of meat and milk, which could be marketed as differentiated products, taking advantage of their outstanding nutritional qualities. Integral management of the dual-purpose system is proposed, retaking the bases of the original model of family characters, diversified and with low investments and risks, which with specific innovations can be an effective development option for producers in the region.

This article characterizes four dual-purpose river buffalo farms (DPBPS) in south-southeastern Mexico. The objectives were to obtain a broader profile of this system and capture values related to buffalo breeding in that area. The study identified a group of producers with high levels of education (17 ± 1.15 years) and years of experience in agricultural systems (28.75 ± 10.81), especially with buffaloes (9 ± 1.83 years). Land tenure is private, and the average surface area of ranches is 428.75 ± 245.57 hectares, located mainly (92%) in flatlands and floodplains with an average number of animals per hectare 2.03 ± 0.69 AU/h. The area has various vegetable strata (grasses, bushes, trees). Feeding is based on the consumption of vegetable species like Camalote grass (Paspalum fasciculatum), West Indian Azuche grass (Hymenachne amplexicaulis), and Aleman grass (Echinochloa polystachya), complemented with minerals. Production units (PU) 2 and 3 add a low proportion of balanced feed. The average number of animals per PU is 611 ± 50. Dams and calves represent the largest proportions in the herds. The main breed raised in these buffalo production systems is Buffalypso (58% ± 21%), followed by Italian Mediterranean (24% ± 5%) and Murrah (10% ± 14%). The data collected show that the reproduction methods most often utilized, in order of frequency, are fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI), direct mounting (DM), and estrus-detected artificial insemination (EDAI). Proportions are 61% ± 18%, 24% ± 25% and 14% ± 17%, respectively. The DPBPS studied are distinguished by the presence of owners and managers with high levels of education, extensive experience in agricultural systems, and the capacity and willingness to implement new technologies that permit continuous improvement. However, their experience in buffalo production is still limited, so there is ample room for improvement.

En este artículo se presentan los resultados de un análisis referente a la percepción de la calidad en la educación superior de las universidades públicas del Paraguay que se encuentran ubicadas en el interior del país. Para llevar a cabo este estudio se realizó una encuesta semiestructurada aplicada a los alumnos del último año de las carreras de contaduría pública en la Facultad de Economía de las universidades UNC (Universidad Nacional de Concepción), UNVES (Universidad Nacional de Villarrica de Espíritu Santo) y UNICAN (Universidad Nacional de Canindeyú) que permitió exponer la forma en que los estudiantes especifican sus percepciones sobre la calidad de diferentes componentes académicos que ofrecen las instituciones educativas. Los principales resultados encontrados son; que los estudiantes consideran la formación y desarrollo integral que reciben como buena, asimismo, valoran que sus universidades cuenten con instalaciones y equipos tecnológicos de primer nivel y las diversas actividades para potenciar la profesionalización de los estudiantes.

The aim is to elucidate other key aspects of these dual-purpose systems in wetland areas, including labor, markets, the conditions of facilities, machinery and equipment indices, and zootechnical indicators. The health management values determined for production units (PU) PU2, 3, and 4 were similar (50%) but higher at PU1 (75%). Three scheduled milkings once a day (1x), but PU3 performed it twice a day (2x). Most workers are permanent, but PU1 and PU2 hire temporary laborers. The average workday was 7.69 ± 2.84 hours/animal unit at a mean wage of $11.43 ± $1.27. Unit prices per kg of meat from fattening animals and liter of milk were $1.83 ± $0.03 and $0.51 ± $0.08, respectively. Production variables showed an average calving interval of 371.25 ± 7.50 days, a mean parturition index of 89% ± 1%, and mean mortality of 1.8% ± 0.5% and 0.6% ± 0.8% for young and adult animals, respectively. Milk production per lactation was 1240 ± 211.66 liters. The mean daily production for sale was 5.17 ± 0.88 liters. Individual calves consumed 2.13 ± 0.63 liters of milk per day on average. Mean productive life was 17 ± 2.45 years. Average scores on the facilities conditions and machinery and equipment indices were 68% ± 14% and 57% ± 26%, respectively.

Como consecuencia de las reformas al artículo 123 de la Constitución publicadas en el Diario Oficial de la Federación el 24 de febrero de 2017, se hicieron cambios sustanciales a la materia del trabajo, como el de la fracción XVIII, conforme al cual para obtener la celebración de un contrato colectivo se debe acreditar que se cuenta con la representación de los trabajadores. Y el cambio de la fracción XX, en el que los conflictos de los trabajadores los resolverán los tribunales laborales del Poder Judicial. De esta manera desaparecen las Juntas de Conciliación y Arbitraje, los conflictos de trabajo pasan al conocimiento del Poder Judicial; esos asuntos primeramente tienen una instancia conciliatoria que se encargaa un organismo descentralizado.