Inseparability of Dairy Farming Technologies and Their Impacts on Milk Production Systems in Brazil

Abstract

Several studies have analyzed the impact of one technology on the productive performance of dairy systems. However, analyses that consider the impact of joint technologies are scarce. This study was aimed to analyze the inseparability of a set of technologies and their impacts on dairy farm performance. Questionnaires were applied on-site with 155 dairy farmers in Paraná State, Brazil. We collected 17 technological variables related to milk production and variables related to dairy farms' production. Data analysis was performed in three steps: descriptive analysis, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and multiple regression. Descriptive analysis was applied to characterize the sample, EFA was applied to generate factors related to the technological variables, and multiple regression was used to compare technological factors with productivity variables -farm performance. Four factors were defined: (i) Forage and farm structure, (ii) management, (iii) genetics, breeding strategies, and concentrate feeding, and (iv) animal health. The four factors significantly explained the differences in milk productivity between dairy farms. Technologies grouped under the factor of genetics were the most important in explaining milk yield per lactating cow, land productivity, and dairy herd reproductive efficiency.

An Empirical Evaluation of Policy Options for Increasing Dairy Production in Indonesia: A System Dynamics Approach

“…The calf rearing program, followed by an increase in the conception rate and superior cow imports (Scenario 5), aims to increase dairy productivity and domestic dairy production. Genetics and breeding are determinants of milk yield per lactating cow (Lima et al, 2022), and proper nutrition in feeding lactating cows affects milk production significantly (Tramontini et al, 2021). Therefore, the program for calf rearing must be supported by enhancing sound reproduction and rearing management.…”