ABSTRACT The cow somatic cell count (CSCC) is an indicator of intramammary infection (IMI), and it has been used to make decisions at dry-off about selective dry cow therapy (SDCT). This study assessed ex-ante the economic impact of implementing SDCT under milk production conditions in Argentina, using CSCC to identify cows with IMI at dry-off. Eighty six cows were sampled at dry-off and considered being infected if at least one quarter was infected with major mastitis pathogens. The CSCC sensitivity and specificity were estimated using the CSCC recorded from the test-day prior to dry-off. A simulation model was then developed to look into the economic benefits of applying SDCT under two herd level IMI prevalence (low: 5-15%, and high: 16-25%) at dry-off. The input variables were obtained from the field study, scientific literature, and real-world prices. The output was the net economic difference (NED) between SDCT and blanket dry cow therapy at the herd level. The sensitivity and specificity estimated for identifying cows infected with major pathogens for a CSCC threshold of 200,000 cells/mL were 31.4 (95% CI, 14.6-48.2) and 64.7 (95% CI, 50.6-78.8), respectively; the value for NED was maximized to -634 US$ and -455 US$ in the low and high IMI prevalence, respectively. In general, CSCC specificity was the variable with the most impact on NED and, in high IMI prevalence, milk price had a similar relevance. Thus, SDCT based on CSCC is a cost-effective option, under the milk production conditions in Argentina.

RESUMO A contagem das células somáticas por vaca (CCSV) é um indicador da infecção intramamária (IIM). A CCSV tem sido usada para decidir o tratamento com antibiótico no esquema de terapia seletiva de vacas secas (TSVS). O estudo avaliou ex-ante o impacto econômico da implementação do TSVS nas condições de produção da Argentina, usando a CCSV para identificar IIM na secagem. Foram coletadas amostras do leite de 86 vacas no momento da secagem para determinar IIM com os principais patógenos associados à mastite. A sensibilidade e especificidade da CCSV foram estimadas através dos dados obtidos no controle do leite antes da secagem. Foi desenvolvido um modelo de simulação para determinar os benefícios econômicos da aplicação do TSVS em dois cenários de prevalência de IIM (baixo: 5-15%; alto: 16-25%). O resultado do modelo foi a diferença econômica liquida (DEL) entre TSVS e a terapia em massa no nível do rebanho. A sensibilidade e especificidade estimadas para identificar vacas infectadas com os principais patógenos para um valor limite de 200.000 células/mL na CCSV foram de 31,4 (95% IC, 14,6-48,2) y 64,7 (95% IC, 50,6-78,8), respectivamente. O DEL máximo foi de US$ -635 e US$ 455 nos cenários de prevalência baixa e alta, respectivamente. Em forma geral, a especificidade da CSCC foi a variável de maior impacto sobre o DEL e no cenário de alta prevalência de IIM o preço do leite teve relevância semelhante. Portanto, o TSVS baseado em CCSV é uma opção econômica nas condições de produção na Argentina.

Los cambios de las últimas décadas en el sistema agrario argentino han incrementado la concentración de la producción y han implicado la expulsión de más del 35% de los agricultores, la aparición de nuevos actores en el ámbito rural y un aumento notable de la heterogeneidad y de la desigualdad económica en el sistema agrario. El presente trabajo combinó criterios cualitativos y cuantitativos para identificar, tipificar y caracterizar a los agricultores familiares de Córdoba y evaluar su vulnerabilidad económica, con el objetivo de aportar al diseño de políticas públicas de desarrollo rural. Los resultados identifican un 70% de unidades familiares de producción, del total de establecimientos agropecuarios de Córdoba, y corroboran que el arco noroeste es la región más vulnerable.

Changes in recent decades in Argentina's agricultural system, have increased the concentration of production, the expulsion of over 35% of farmers, the emergence of new actors in rural areas and a notable increase of heterogeneity and economic inequality in the farming system. This study combined qualitative and quantitative criteria to identify, define and characterize family farmers in Córdoba, and assess their vulnerability, in order to contribute to the design of public policies for rural development. The results identified 70 per cent of family production units of the total farms in Córdoba, and corroborate that the Northwest is the most vulnerable region.

Les changements des dernières décennies dans le système agricole argentin, ont augmentéla concentration de la production, l'expulsion de plus de 35% d'agriculteurs, l'apparition de nouveaux acteurs aux territoires rurales et un accroissement remarquable l'hétérogénéité et l'inégalité économique dans le système agricole. Le présent travail a combiné des critères qualitatifs et quantitatifs pour identifier, standardiser et caractériser aux agriculteurs familiaux de Córdoba et évaluer sa vulnérabilité, dans le but d'apporter à la conception de politiques publiques de développement rural. Les résultats identifient 70% d'unités familiales de production du total d'établissements agricoles de Córdoba, et renforcent que l'arc nord-ouest est la région la plus vulnérable.

En este artículo, se plantea que la producción de carne caprina y ovina es una opción económicamente rentable, técnicamente factible y comercialmente viable para los productores medianos y pequeños del departamento Río Cuarto, provincia de Córdoba. Este trabajo exploratorio se orientó a identificar la relación existente entre el perfil del productor y su capacidad de gestionar, en forma sostenida, los emprendimientos y de optimizar las estrategias de comercialización del sector productor de carne ovina y caprina. Se analizaron también los factores del entorno que intervienen y su grado de incidencia en las estrategias usadas por los productores. Se realizaron estudios de caso y árboles de problema para cada producción. Se identificaron tipos de productores innovadores que son los que aprovechan las oportunidades que existen y que estarían en condiciones de continuar con estas producciones ante escenarios adversos. Los elementos del entorno que se visualizan como amenazas están relacionados con el escaso desarrollo del mercado -interno y externo-. Se propone la realización de Planes Estratégicos en forma participativa con agentes e instituciones públicas y privadas.

This study deals with the production of sheep and goat meet as an economically profitable, technically feasible, and commercially possible option for small and medium producers in Rio Cuarto department, province of Cordoba. This exploratory work was geared toward identifying the relationship between the producer's profile and his capacity to negotiate enterprises in a sustained manner and to optimize marketing strategies in the sheep and goat meet production sector. Environmental factors involved and their degree of incidence in the strategies used by the producers were analyzed. Case studies and problem trees for each type of production were performed. Types of innovating producers were identified since they profit from existing opportunities and would be able to carry on production when faced with adverse scenarios. Environmental elements that are perceived as threats are related to the limited internal and external market development. It has been proposed to develop participative Strategic Plans with public and private agents and institutions.

Dans cet article, nous montrons que la production de viande ovine et caprine est une option économiquement rentable, techniquement faisable et commercialement viable pour les petits et moyens producteurs du département du Rio Cuarto dans la province de Córdoba. Ce travail exploratoire visait à identifier la relation existant entre le profil du producteur et sa capacité à gérer, de manière soutenue, les initiatives et à optimiser les stratégies de commercialisation du secteur producteur de viande ovine et caprine. Nous avons également analysé les facteurs du milieu qui entrent en ligne de compte et leur degré d'incidence dans les stratégies utilisées par les producteurs. Des études de cas et des arbres de problèmes ont été réalisés pour chaque production. Il a été possible d'identifier des types de producteurs innovateurs -ceux qui profitent des opportunités existantes- qui seraient en condition de continuer avec ces productions dans des conditions adverses. Les éléments du milieu qui sont perçues comme des menaces sont liés au faible développement du marché -interne comme externe-. Nous proposons la création de Plans stratégiques de manière participative avec des agents et institutions publiques ou privées.