Low-input dairy farming in Europe: Exploring a context-specific notion

Bijttebier, Jo; Hamerlinck, Jolien; Moakes, Simon; Scollan, Nigel D.; Meensel, Jef Van; Lauwers, Ludwig

doi:10.1016/j.agsy.2017.05.016

Cited by 25 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…A pragmatic categorization by quartiles (Q) was used according to the distributions of the sample [22]. Table 1 shows the limit values for the categories of each variable.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Body Condition Score and Milk Production on Conception Rate of Cows under a Small-Scale Dairy System

Montiel-Olguín

Ruiz-López

Mellado

et al. 2019

Animals

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Simple SummarySmall-scale dairy farms are important because they generate jobs in rural areas and improve food security, income, and livelihood worldwide. On the other hand, high fertility is strongly associated with the profitability of dairy farms. Therefore, improving reproductive performance would increase milk production and farmers’ incomes. In the present study, we focus on the effect of body condition score (BCS) of Holstein cows at calving and when they are bred for the first time (after calving) on a key reproductive performance indicator: conception rate to first service. Additionally, we studied the association between BCS at calving and milk production, assuming that cows had a moderate genetic potential for milk production. Our results highlight the importance of BCS on the future reproductive performance and productivity of cows in a small-scale dairy system. These results are useful to implement management strategies in order to increase conception rate to first service and milk production in this type of dairy farm.AbstractManagement and production characteristics impact conception rate to first service (CR1S) in small-scale dairy farms, but the impact of body condition score (BCS) and milk production levels on cows’ fertility is unknown. Our objective is to determine the effect of BCS and milk production on CR1S in small-scale dairy farms of western Mexico. Logistic regression models are used to determine the effect of BCS (at calving and first service), 60-d and 305-d milk production, protein and fat production, lactation number, and days at first service on CR1S. BCS at calving does not affect CR1S in cows with three or more lactations (39.5%; p > 0.1). However, first-lactation cows with BCS < 3.0 at calving and second lactation cows with BCS ≤ 2.5 at calving have higher CR1S (63.2 and 67.9%, respectively; p < 0.1). This result is perhaps due to reduced milk production, which leads to lower metabolic stress. BCS ≤ 2.5 at calving is associated (p < 0.05) with a reduced milk yield, explaining partially the observed higher CR1S in these groups. Cows with BCS ≤ 2.5 at first service in the higher quartile of 60-d milk production (≥ 28kg/day) show lower CR1S (23.9 and 51.1%, respectively; p < 0.01). In conclusion, BCS at calving and at first service, 60-d milk production, and lactation number are factors associated with CR1S.

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“…A pragmatic categorization by quartiles (Q) was used according to the distributions of the sample [22]. Table 1 shows the limit values for the categories of each variable.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Body Condition Score and Milk Production on Conception Rate of Cows under a Small-Scale Dairy System

Montiel-Olguín

Ruiz-López

Mellado

et al. 2019

Animals

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“…Studies focusing on the dairy sector specifically center on the general context and trends of evolution of the dairy sector in Europe and elsewhere [61], or on the way sustainability is integrated at the farm level [62][63][64] and by the processing actors [65][66][67]. Concerning individual trajectories and their relation with the dairy context, we identified a few studies focusing on the decision-making processes of dairy farmers in reaction to a certain economic context [68,69], or in reaction to the evolution of public policies [70,71].…”

Section: Changes In Trajectories May Face a Logic Of Inertia Inherentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lock-ins and Agency: Towards an Embedded Approach of Individual Pathways in the Walloon Dairy Sector

2019

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As the 2009 dairy crisis drew attention to the situation of dairy farmers in Europe, the extent of strategical power left to farmers in dairy cooperatives of increasing size is a frequently raised issue. Four dairy cooperatives collect 97% of the milk in the Walloon Region (in the southern part of Belgium). Two of them integrated agro-food multinationals. We decided to analyze the trajectories of Walloon dairy farmers exploring alternatives to the delivery of milk to these mainstream dairy cooperatives. We focused on the territories situated to the east of the Walloon Region, where dairy farming represents 75% of farming revenues. Alternatives consist either of processing milk on farm or in concluding a contract with a cheese processor collecting milk directly from farmers. Our objective was to understand the issues faced in these alternative trajectories and the reason why these alternatives remained marginal. We designed a qualitative case study based on interviews with farmers and local cheese processors. We mobilized evolutionary approaches on the stability and transitions of systems and approaches of change at the farmer level. It appears that the alternative trajectories remain embedded in a broader dairy context. The lock-ins emerging from this context determine the evolution of the farming model towards intensification and the individual identity and capabilities of farmers. We present a model of interconnected and embedded lock-ins, from the organizational frame of the regime to the individual frame. This model illustrates how the agency articulates with structural dynamics. We propose structural measures in the organization of agricultural education and in terms of support to alternative supply chains that will enhance agency in favor of a change.

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“…Para clasificar los establos por tipo de servicio, se consideraron en la categoría IA a aquellas unidades de producción donde al menos 75 % de los servicios fueron brindados utilizando esta tecnología y en la categoría de monta natural cuando al menos el 75 % de los servicios se proporcionó por monta natural. Los límites para tamaño del hato y seroprevalencias se establecieron de acuerdo con la distribución por cuartiles en la muestra de estudio (20) . La clasificación del tamaño de hato se hizo con base en el número de vientres en producción promedio por establo durante el periodo de captura de información a nivel de campo; el tercer cuartil correspondió a 33 vacas (clasificación <33 o ≥33).…”

Section: Eventos De Interés Y Clasificación De Factores Potenciales Dunclassified

Factores de riesgo a nivel de establo asociados con el desempeño reproductivo en el sistema de producción de leche a pequeña escala en México

Montiel-Olguín

Estrada-Cortés

Espinosa-Martínez

et al. 2019

Rev. Mex. Cienc. Pecu.

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La rentabilidad de los establos lecheros está fuertemente asociada con el desempeño reproductivo. Por lo tanto, la identificación de factores de riesgo que comprometen este desempeño es primordial para implementar estrategias que mejoren la productividad. En este estudio, se probaron los efectos del uso de inseminación artificial (IA), hatos grandes y seroprevalencia alta de enfermedades infecciosas reproductivas sobre el desempeño reproductivo. Se incluyeron al estudio 52 establos (10-100 vacas; 959 lactaciones) registrando eventos reproductivos durante 18 meses (partos 2011-2012). Las seroprevalencias de neosporosis, rinotraqueitis infecciosa bovina (IBR) y diarrea viral bovina (BVD) se registraron en cada establo. Se utilizaron análisis de regresión logística múltiples para determinar el grado de asociación (razón de momios, OR) entre factores potenciales de riesgo y variables reproductivas. Establos ≥33 vacas y seroprevalencia alta de neosporosis fueron factores de riesgo para Asistencia al Parto (OR 1.5 y 2.3, respectivamente). Seroprevalencias altas de IBR y BVD fueron factores de riesgo para Días a Primer Servicio>70 Días en Leche (DPS>70, OR 1.3 y 1.9, respectivamente). La IA fue un factor de riesgo común para DPS>70 y Días Abiertos>110 Días en Leche (OR 2.4 y 1.3, respectivamente). Establos ≥33 vacas fue un factor de riesgo para Vacas No Gestantes al Primer Servicio (OR 1.7). En conclusión, la IA, establos ≥33 vacas y seroprevalencias altas de neosporosis, IBR y BVD son factores asociados al desempeño reproductivo en establos de producción de leche a pequeña escala en varias regiones geográficas de México.

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Low-input dairy farming in Europe: Exploring a context-specific notion

Cited by 25 publications

References 5 publications

Body Condition Score and Milk Production on Conception Rate of Cows under a Small-Scale Dairy System

Body Condition Score and Milk Production on Conception Rate of Cows under a Small-Scale Dairy System

Lock-ins and Agency: Towards an Embedded Approach of Individual Pathways in the Walloon Dairy Sector

Factores de riesgo a nivel de establo asociados con el desempeño reproductivo en el sistema de producción de leche a pequeña escala en México

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