Efecto de forraje mejorado y del cambio en la fecha de parición sobre la producción de leche
Milk production from small farms in La Union county, Chile, was studied under a farming systems research approach. Red clay soils predominate in the region, which is characterized by a temperate climate and a severe summer drought, resulting in seasonal pasture growth. This growth pattern and low annual yields were identified as the most serious limiting factors in achieving better feeding and higher milk production. In the traditional systems, the calving seasons concentrate mainly in the spring and summer, confronting a high risk of summer drought and resulting in annual milk yields of only 1200 to 1500 litres/cow, in addition to the risk of forage scarcity. By means of multivariate and dynamic linear programming, ex ante analyses were performed on 16 new forage alternatives and 3 different calving programmes: 70 percent in autumn and 100 percent in autumn, both with winter supplementation, and 70 percent in spring with winter and summer supplementation. These strategies were intended to reduce the seasonal lack of forage obtained from natural pastures. Improved systems increased total DM production from 25 to 40 percent over the traditional ones, along with a reduction in the contribution of natural pastures from 50-60 percent in the traditional systems to 25-40 percent in those improved. The area spared was used mainly for forage crops. This resulted in an annual milk yield increase of 1000 to 1300 litres/cow. Due to the concentration of calvings in the autumn, higher average milk prices were obtained, increasing gross farm income to 4 percent. Altogether, improved systems (calving season plus new forages) resulted in increases of 37 and 75 percent in net farm income. This required small amounts of additional operational capital, but was still within the financial capacity of small farmers. It was concluded that the improved systems had a positive and significant impact on productive and economic parameters when compared with the traditional ones; also, autumn calving reduced the risks derived from summer drought.
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | biblioteca |
| Language: | spa |
| Published: |
(Ene
|
| Subjects: | ALIMENTACION COMPLEMENTARIA, CHILE, DESEMPENO ANIMAL, FORRAJES, GANADO, PIENSOS, PRODUCCION ANIMAL, PRODUCCION LECHERA, RENDIMIENTO LECHERO, |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/11554/9766 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | Milk production from small farms in La Union county, Chile, was studied under a farming systems research approach. Red clay soils predominate in the region, which is characterized by a temperate climate and a severe summer drought, resulting in seasonal pasture growth. This growth pattern and low annual yields were identified as the most serious limiting factors in achieving better feeding and higher milk production. In the traditional systems, the calving seasons concentrate mainly in the spring and summer, confronting a high risk of summer drought and resulting in annual milk yields of only 1200 to 1500 litres/cow, in addition to the risk of forage scarcity. By means of multivariate and dynamic linear programming, ex ante analyses were performed on 16 new forage alternatives and 3 different calving programmes: 70 percent in autumn and 100 percent in autumn, both with winter supplementation, and 70 percent in spring with winter and summer supplementation. These strategies were intended to reduce the seasonal lack of forage obtained from natural pastures. Improved systems increased total DM production from 25 to 40 percent over the traditional ones, along with a reduction in the contribution of natural pastures from 50-60 percent in the traditional systems to 25-40 percent in those improved. The area spared was used mainly for forage crops. This resulted in an annual milk yield increase of 1000 to 1300 litres/cow. Due to the concentration of calvings in the autumn, higher average milk prices were obtained, increasing gross farm income to 4 percent. Altogether, improved systems (calving season plus new forages) resulted in increases of 37 and 75 percent in net farm income. This required small amounts of additional operational capital, but was still within the financial capacity of small farmers. It was concluded that the improved systems had a positive and significant impact on productive and economic parameters when compared with the traditional ones; also, autumn calving reduced the risks derived from summer drought. |
|---|