RESUMO
This work was aimed to evaluate milk quality parameters according to three levels of specialization of milk production units in different districts of West Santa Catarina´s State, Brazil. Characterization of milk production units was carried out using a questionnaire in 29 farms as a tool for data collection, applied during a visit to the farm. At the time, 58 milk samples were collected from cooling tanks to determine the levels of fat, protein, lactose, somatic cell count (SCC) and total bacteria count (TBC). Considering the information obtained the milk production units were classified as specialized (E), semi-specialized (SE) and not specialized (NE). The database was subjected to multivariate methods of statistical analysis with the use of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Redundancy analysis (RDA). The results indicated that variables that most influence milk quality are: time in the activity, area with perennial pasture, gross income from milk activity, type of milking, teat washing and method of reproduction. Results showed that despite lower percentages of fat and protein, the increased level of specialization provides milk of better quality due to the low rates of SCC and TBC, which leads to higher income from this type of activity. In specialized farms where milk activity has a high economic importance, producers are encouraged to adopt better hygiene practices
O trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar os parâmetros de qualidade do leite segundo três níveis de especialização das unidades de produção de leite de diferentes municípios do Oeste Catarinense. A caracterização das unidades de produção de leite foi realizada utilizando-se um questionário em 29 propriedades rurais como instrumento de coleta de dados, aplicado durante a visita à propriedade rural. Também foram coletadas 58 amostras de leite dos tanques de resfriamento para a determinação dos níveis de gordura, proteína, lactose, contagem de células somáticas (CCS) e contagem bacteriana total (CBT). Considerando-se as informações obtidas, as unidades de produção de leite foram classificadas em: especializado (E), semiespecializado (SE) e não especializado (NE). Os dados foram submetidos a métodos multivariados de análise estatística, com o emprego da Análise de Componentes Principais (ACP) e da Análise de Redundância (RDA). Os resultados das análises indicam que o tempo na atividade, a área com pastagem perene, a renda bruta com bovinos de leite, o tipo de ordenha, a lavagem dos tetos e o método de reprodução são as variáveis que mais interferem na qualidade do leite. O aumento do nível de especialização da atividade leiteira, mesmo produzindo menor porcentagem de gordura e proteína no leite, proporciona a obtenção de leite de melhor qualidade, devido aos menores índic
RESUMO
This work was aimed to evaluate milk quality parameters according to three levels of specialization of milk production units in different districts of West Santa Catarina´s State, Brazil. Characterization of milk production units was carried out using a questionnaire in 29 farms as a tool for data collection, applied during a visit to the farm. At the time, 58 milk samples were collected from cooling tanks to determine the levels of fat, protein, lactose, somatic cell count (SCC) and total bacteria count (TBC). Considering the information obtained the milk production units were classified as specialized (E), semi-specialized (SE) and not specialized (NE). The database was subjected to multivariate methods of statistical analysis with the use of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Redundancy analysis (RDA). The results indicated that variables that most influence milk quality are: time in the activity, area with perennial pasture, gross income from milk activity, type of milking, teat washing and method of reproduction. Results showed that despite lower percentages of fat and protein, the increased level of specialization provides milk of better quality due to the low rates of SCC and TBC, which leads to higher income from this type of activity. In specialized farms where milk activity has a high economic importance, producers are encouraged to adopt better hygiene practices
O trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar os parâmetros de qualidade do leite segundo três níveis de especialização das unidades de produção de leite de diferentes municípios do Oeste Catarinense. A caracterização das unidades de produção de leite foi realizada utilizando-se um questionário em 29 propriedades rurais como instrumento de coleta de dados, aplicado durante a visita à propriedade rural. Também foram coletadas 58 amostras de leite dos tanques de resfriamento para a determinação dos níveis de gordura, proteína, lactose, contagem de células somáticas (CCS) e contagem bacteriana total (CBT). Considerando-se as informações obtidas, as unidades de produção de leite foram classificadas em: especializado (E), semiespecializado (SE) e não especializado (NE). Os dados foram submetidos a métodos multivariados de análise estatística, com o emprego da Análise de Componentes Principais (ACP) e da Análise de Redundância (RDA). Os resultados das análises indicam que o tempo na atividade, a área com pastagem perene, a renda bruta com bovinos de leite, o tipo de ordenha, a lavagem dos tetos e o método de reprodução são as variáveis que mais interferem na qualidade do leite. O aumento do nível de especialização da atividade leiteira, mesmo produzindo menor porcentagem de gordura e proteína no leite, proporciona a obtenção de leite de melhor qualidade, devido aos menores índic
RESUMO
Background: The milk production chain is an important component of the agribusiness in Western Santa Catarina, Brazil. However, this activity is facing problems regarding health of the herd that are often diffi cult to control because they can be caused by different etiologic agents such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. The damage caused by endoparasites may occur directly and indirectly, refl ecting on weight gain, milk production, expenses with antiparasitic drugs, and mortality of untreated animals. To minimize these losses, all properties should implement a strategic program to monitor the herd. As a result, the objective of this study was to monitor dairy cattle properties from the West of Santa Catarina, by collecting information about the herd and parasitological stool examinations.Materials, Methods & Results: This study was conducted on farms from 12 cities of the Western region of Santa Catarina state during the months of November and December of 2010 and January and February of 2011 (summer). The study included 23 properties that have part of their farm income from dairy cattle activity; these animals had not been treated with anti-parasitic for at least 30 days. To assist research, a questionnaire was given to the farmers. For parasitological examination, fecal material was collected from at least 20% of the herd up to 100%, that is, was standardized t
Background: The milk production chain is an important component of the agribusiness in Western Santa Catarina, Brazil. However, this activity is facing problems regarding health of the herd that are often diffi cult to control because they can be caused by different etiologic agents such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. The damage caused by endoparasites may occur directly and indirectly, refl ecting on weight gain, milk production, expenses with antiparasitic drugs, and mortality of untreated animals. To minimize these losses, all properties should implement a strategic program to monitor the herd. As a result, the objective of this study was to monitor dairy cattle properties from the West of Santa Catarina, by collecting information about the herd and parasitological stool examinations.Materials, Methods & Results: This study was conducted on farms from 12 cities of the Western region of Santa Catarina state during the months of November and December of 2010 and January and February of 2011 (summer). The study included 23 properties that have part of their farm income from dairy cattle activity; these animals had not been treated with anti-parasitic for at least 30 days. To assist research, a questionnaire was given to the farmers. For parasitological examination, fecal material was collected from at least 20% of the herd up to 100%, that is, was standardized t
RESUMO
Background: The milk production chain is an important component of the agribusiness in Western Santa Catarina, Brazil. However, this activity is facing problems regarding health of the herd that are often diffi cult to control because they can be caused by different etiologic agents such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. The damage caused by endoparasites may occur directly and indirectly, refl ecting on weight gain, milk production, expenses with antiparasitic drugs, and mortality of untreated animals. To minimize these losses, all properties should implement a strategic program to monitor the herd. As a result, the objective of this study was to monitor dairy cattle properties from the West of Santa Catarina, by collecting information about the herd and parasitological stool examinations.Materials, Methods & Results: This study was conducted on farms from 12 cities of the Western region of Santa Catarina state during the months of November and December of 2010 and January and February of 2011 (summer). The study included 23 properties that have part of their farm income from dairy cattle activity; these animals had not been treated with anti-parasitic for at least 30 days. To assist research, a questionnaire was given to the farmers. For parasitological examination, fecal material was collected from at least 20% of the herd up to 100%, that is, was standardized t
Background: The milk production chain is an important component of the agribusiness in Western Santa Catarina, Brazil. However, this activity is facing problems regarding health of the herd that are often diffi cult to control because they can be caused by different etiologic agents such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. The damage caused by endoparasites may occur directly and indirectly, refl ecting on weight gain, milk production, expenses with antiparasitic drugs, and mortality of untreated animals. To minimize these losses, all properties should implement a strategic program to monitor the herd. As a result, the objective of this study was to monitor dairy cattle properties from the West of Santa Catarina, by collecting information about the herd and parasitological stool examinations.Materials, Methods & Results: This study was conducted on farms from 12 cities of the Western region of Santa Catarina state during the months of November and December of 2010 and January and February of 2011 (summer). The study included 23 properties that have part of their farm income from dairy cattle activity; these animals had not been treated with anti-parasitic for at least 30 days. To assist research, a questionnaire was given to the farmers. For parasitological examination, fecal material was collected from at least 20% of the herd up to 100%, that is, was standardized t