ABSTRACT We aimed to compare the typology of dairy production systems (DPS) that meet Brazilian quality standards with that of non-compliant DPS. Semi-structured questionnaires were applied in 128 DPS located in Santa Izabel do Oeste, Paraná, Brazil (25°49'16" S and 53°29'04" W). In addition, milk quality reports of each DPS were analyzed. Dairy production systems were segregated into two groups: G1 – DPS that were in accordance with Brazilian regulations on milk quality, and G2 – DPS that did not comply with Brazilian regulations. Exploratory factor analysis was performed on structural, production, and technical variables. Two factors were defined: F1 – production scale and bargaining power, and F2 – autonomy and production control. Groups 1 and 2 were evaluated according to their structural, production, and technical characteristics as well as their F1 and F2 values. A small fraction (6.25%) of DPS met the minimum quality standards for milk. Dairy production systems that comply with quality regulations have larger production scale, higher productivity, and greater autonomy and control of milk production. Consequently, they have better bargaining power with the industry for the marketing of milk.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effects of soybean hulls (SBH) as a ground corn replacement (0, 50, and 100% SBH) on the parameters of the lactation curve and on lactation curves and milk composition. Fourteen multiparous Saanen goats were used during their lactation period, from kidding until the drying of their milk on the 228th day of lactation, and were distributed in a completely randomised design. The data was analysed using Bayesian methodology to minimise the effect of the low number of animals and to allow for comparison of the curve parameters estimated by Wood's nonlinear model. The SBH had no effect on the initial milk yield; nevertheless, the SBH reduced the rate of yield until lactation peak and accelerated the declining rate of yield after lactation. The treatments did not affect dry matter intake. The inclusion of SBH increased the fat content in the milk, which was also influenced by the lactation stage of the goats. Effects were observed on polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), PUFA/total AG ratio, and the n-6:n-3 ratio of goat milk fat. The lactation stage changed the content of saturated fatty acid, monounsaturated fatty acid, and C18:2 (conjugated linoleic acid). The SBH can therefore be used as a ground corn replacement in the diets of lactating goats, as changes in the lactation curve parameters did not result in changes in total yields. Nevertheless, if the milk fat increases, then as quality rises, so could payment by quality, and thus an increase in profit margins per liter of milk sold.

Objetivou-se propor uma metodologia de análise de sistemas de produção, tomando-se como base o fluxo quantitativo intra-anual e as características qualitativas do leite entregue pelos produtores de leite à indústria. Foram coletados dados referentes a 1.196 produtores de leite durante os anos 2005 e 2006 utilizando-se as variáveis produção mensal; teores de gordura, proteína, lactose e sólidos totais; contagem de células somáticas e contagem padrão em placas. A metodologia de análise utilizada foi a análise de componentes principais e a classificação hierárquica ascendente (tipologia). As variáveis mais importantes na construção do primeiro componente principal (CP1) são os teores de gordura, proteína e sólidos totais do leite, que explicaram 32,5% da diversidade de sistemas de produção e podem ser consideradas indicadores da qualidade nutricional do leite. Na construção do segundo componente principal (CP2), as variáveis mais importantes são teor de lactose, contagem de células somáticas e contagem microbiana do leite, que explicaram 24,04% da diversidade e representam a qualidade higiênica do leite. A distribuição intra-anual da produção não é importante para explicar a diversidade entre as unidades produtoras de leite. Para a tipologia dos sistemas de produção, foram considerados os três primeiros componentes principais, cuja explicação da variabilidade total foi de 70,52%. As 1.196 propriedades rurais produtoras de leite pertencem a 17 grupos de sistemas de produção com características de qualidade do leite próprias.

The objective of the study was to propose a methodology of production systems analysis, considering intraannual quantitative flow and the qualitative characteristics of the milk delivered by the farmers to the industry. The data were collected from 1,196 milk producers from 2005 to 2006 using month production variables, fat content, protein, lactose and total solids, counting of somatic cells, and standardized counting in plates. The method of analysis used was the main component analyses and ascending hierarchical classification (typology). The most important variables in the construction of the first principal component (PC1) are fat content, protein and total milk solid contents, which explained 32.5% of the diversity of production systems, and they can be considered as the indicator of milk nutritional quality. In the construction of the second principal component (PC2), the most important variables are lactose content, counting of somatic cells and milk microbial counting, which explained 24.04% of the diversity and represent the hygienic quality of the milk. The intra-annual distribution of the milk production is not important to explain the diversity among milk production units. For the production system typology, it was considered the first three main components whose explanation of the total variability was of 70.52%. The 1,196 milk producing rural properties belong to the 17 groups of milk production systems with their own characteristics of milk quality.

Foram utilizados 27 cabritos Boer x Saanen (15 machos e 12 fêmeas, 25,75 ± 3,80 kg PV) distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado para avaliar os os efeitos da substituição de casca do grão de soja (CGS) por grão de milho moído (GMM) sobre o desempenho e a digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes da dieta. As rações foram compostas de feno de grama-estrela (Cynodon spp.), farelo de soja, milho, casca do grão de soja e minerais, sendo os tratamentos constituídos de 0 (GMM), 50 (CGS50) e 100% (CGS100) de substituição do milho pela casca do grão de soja. O período experimental foi de 42 dias e a digestibilidade dos nutrientes foi determinada utilizando-se a FDN indigestível como indicador. Os tratamentos não diferiram quanto às ingestões de MS, MO e PB, ao ganho de peso médio diário e à conversão alimentar. A utilização da CGS resultou em diminuição dos coeficientes de digestibilidade da MS, MO e PB e aumento dos coeficientes de digestibilidade da FDN e do amido. A digestibilidade in vitro da MS foi maior no tratamento GMM, mas a da parede celular não diferiu entre os tratamentos. A casca do grão de soja apresentou 23,87; 0,19; 55,89 e 20,05% das frações A, B1, B2 e C dos carboidratos e 35,22; 8,19; 31,61; 15,46 e 9,52% das frações A, B1, B2, B3 e C da proteína. A casca do grão de soja, quando utilizada em até 100% de substituição ao milho nas rações, não altera o desempenho de cabritos em crescimento, mas diminui a digestibilidade da MS, MO e da proteína e aumenta a da FDN.

Twenty-seven Boer x Saanen goat kids (15 males and 12 females) averaging 25.75 ± 3.80 kg of initial BW were used in a completely randomized design to evaluate the effects of replacing ground corn grain (GCG) with soybean hulls (SH) on performance and apparent digestibility of nutrients. Diets contained star grass hay (Cynodon spp.), soybean meal, minerals, and one of the following levels of SH: 0% (GCG diet), 50% (SH50) or 100% (SH100). The experimental period lasted 42 days and indigestible NDF was used as the internal marker to estimate fecal output and apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients. There was no difference among treatments for the intakes of DM, OM, and CP as well as for the average daily gain and feed conversion. Replacing GCG with SH in the diet decreased the apparent total tract digestibilities of DM, OM, and CP and increased those of NDF and starch. The in vitro DM digestibility was greatest on GCG, intermediate on SH50, and lowest on SH100 diet while no significant differences were observed for cell was digestibility across treatments. Performance of growing kids was not affected by replacing all dietary GCG with SH. However, digestibility of DM, OM, and CP decreased while that of NDF increased by including SH on diets of growing kids.