ABSTRACT We sought to develop a typology describing structural, production, and socioeconomic characteristics of dairy systems that produce artisanal cheese and compare it with that of systems that produce only raw milk. Data on 204 raw milk producers and 58 artisanal cheese producers in Paraná State, Brazil, were collected through on-site surveys and subjected to descriptive analysis, factor analysis, and means tests. Descriptive analyses were applied to characterize the sample and artisanal cheese production processes. Factor analysis identified the following three typological components: system production capacity, herd breed and milking characteristics, and farmer social characteristics. Farmers were divided into two groups, as follows: non-cheese producers (NCP) and artisanal cheese producers (ACP). Groups of farmers were compared in terms of typological components. It was found that ACP have smaller structure and production scale and focus less on herd breed and practices for improving milk quality than NCP. These results suggest that artisanal cheese production is a strategy to add value to milk that does not meet institutional or market requirements for transactions with the dairy industry, providing a foothold for producers to remain in the dairy business. Groups of farmers (ACP and NCP) do not differ in social indicators of typology.

ABSTRACT The objective with this study was to evaluate the effect of including dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) as a replacement for soybean meal on feed intake, digestibility, and total digestible nutrients (TDN), as well as plasmatic glucose and serum urea concentrations. Fifteen Saanen goats were distributed in a completely randomized design with three treatments and five replicates. Treatments were soybean meal (SBM), SBM+DDGS (12.28% of dry matter [DM]), and DDGS (23.16% of DM), as protein source in diets, common to all corn ground and mineral-vitamin supplement, and corn silage (60% of DM). Response variables were evaluated every 30 d, from 1 to 120 d after parturition. Measurements included body weight, DM intake, DM and nutrient digestibility, and blood samples. Indigestible neutral detergent fiber was used to estimate fecal excretion. There was a difference in neutral detergent fiber intake from 1 to 30 d after parturition. In the four phases of lactation evaluated, there were treatment effects on DM, organic matter, ether extract, and total carbohydrate digestibility, as well as on TDN concentration. Neutral detergent fiber digestibility was affected by treatments, except from d 61 to 90. There was no treatment effect on non-fibrous carbohydrate digestibility, regardless of period. Therefore, SBM+DDGS (12.28% of DM), as protein source on diets may be used in Saanen goat diets from 1 to 120 d of lactation without negative effects on feed intake, digestibility, and plasma glucose and urea concentrations.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate milk quality for somatic cell count (SCC) analysis and total bacterial count (TBC) in agroecological production systems and conventional systems, relating them to the frequency of milking practices and types of facilities. The study was conducted in 2013 and 2014, in the western region of Paraná State, Brazil. We used a semi-structured questionnaire to identify management practices of producers in the 17 dairy systems (DS) in the city of Diamante d'Oeste and the 27 DS in Toledo. Milk sampling was performed monthly. Data were analyzed using two statistical methods. These were then used to create cross tabulation of groups with production systems and practices that can influence product quality. Cluster classification analysis allowed grouping of the initial 44 production systems into three homogeneous groups: Group 1, with better quality regarding the normative instruction 62 (NI62), with average values of SCC 407.37 (cells × 1000/mL) and TBC 210.50 (cfu × 1000/mL); Group 2, with SCC 328.50 (cells × 1000/mL) and TBC 699.75 (cfu × 1000/mL), both outside the NI62 parameters; and Group 3, with SCC 680.25 (cells × 1000/mL), considered low- and high-value TBC 1775.25 (cfu × 1000/mL), out of NI62. The results indicate that management practices and some other preventions adopted during milking are the determining factors of milk quality. Therefore, SCC and TBC levels are not determined by agroecological or conventional production systems, but rather, these levels are determined by the practices differentially adopted by the production systems.

ABSTRACT The objective of the study was to evaluate the replacement of Tifton 85 hay (TH) for Tifton 85 silage (TS) in the diets of lactating cows. Five Holstein cows in middle of lactation were allocated in a 5 × 5 Latin square design and each experimental period lasted 18 days (12 days for adaptation and six days for collection). Treatments consisted of replacement of 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% of TH for TS. The intake and digestion of nutrients, microbial protein synthesis, milk yield and composition, and the economic viability of the diets were evaluated. The intakes of dry matter, organic matter, and ether extract had a positive linear effect and the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber decreased linearly with increasing participation of TS. Milk production and composition and microbial protein synthesis were not affected. Regarding economic viability, the treatment with 100% hay produced better results, with better gross margin. The Tifton 85 silage can be used as a replacement for Tifton 85 hay up to 100% without changing the milk production and composition of Holstein cows.

ABSTRACT The objective of this paper was to analyze financial management practices in dairy production systems. More specifically, we sought to identify which milk producers adopt financial management practices. We conducted 55 semi-structured questionnaires in the Western Region of Paraná. The data were processed through descriptive and multivariate statistical analysis. The analysis of hierarchical clusters defined, based on variables related to financial management practices, two distinct groups. The first group included milk producers who do not adopt financial management practices (N = 49) and the second group described the milk producers who do adopt these practices (N = 6). We then used Common Factor Analysis, along with structural, technical, productive, and socioeconomic variables to define the three factors that best explained the variance between the clusters: factor 1 - structural; factor 2 - social; factor 3 - informational. Smaller dairy production systems, with lower production, managed by younger producers, and employing younger workers, are those adopting financial management practices. Therefore, the scarcity of resources is not a limiting factor in the adoption of financial management practices.

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.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to determine the optimal level of dried brewers' grains (DBG) to replace soybean meal in diets for lactating Holstein cows. Five cows, around 88±28 days in milk, were distributed in a 5 × 5 Latin square design and fed diets containing different levels of DBG (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%). The forage:concentrate ratio of the diet was 50:50. Feed intake, dry matter, nutrient digestibility, microbial synthesis, milk production and composition, and the economic viability of the diets were evaluated. There was reduction in dry matter intake and, consequently, in crude protein and non-fiber carbohydrates with increased levels of DBG. This occurred due to physical limitation of rumen caused by increased neutral detergent fiber intake. Ether extract intake also increased with levels of DBG due to higher concentrations of this nutrient in the diet. Apparent dry matter, organic matter, ether extract, and neutral detergent fiber digestibility increased with replacement of soybean meal by DBG. Milk production showed a quadratic effect and the levels of fat, protein, and total solids reduced linearly. Each 1% of soybean meal replaced by DBG in concentrate led to a reduction of 0.04, 0.02, and 0.06 g kg-1 of milk fat, protein, and total solids, respectively. The milk production efficiency increased linearly and the microbial synthesis efficiency was not affected. The economic return increased along with the DBG levels. Thus, DBG levels replacing up to 75% of soybean meal can be used to feed lactating cows, since it provides improvements in digestibility, milk production efficiency, and economic return without affecting microbial efficiency.

RESUMO Com objetivo de avaliar o efeito da substituição do milho grão moído pela silagem de resíduo da extração de amido da mandioca, em dietas para ovinos em confinamento, foi mensurado o consumo, a digestibilidade da matéria seca (MS) e dos nutrientes, e o pH ruminal. Foram utilizados cinco ovinos, canulados, distribuídos em delineamento de quadrado latino (5x5), composto de cinco animais, cinco dietas e cinco períodos experimentais de 21 dias cada, em um total de 105 dias de experimento. Os tratamentos foram diferentes níveis de substituição (0, 25, 50, 75 e 100%) do milho pela silagem de resíduo da extração de amido da mandioca. Os níveis de substituição interferiram de forma significativa, obtendo variação cubica para a ingestão de MS, proteína bruta (PB), matéria orgânica (MO), extrato etéreo (EE) e carboidratos totais (CT), e efeito quadrático para a ingestão de fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) e fibra em detergente ácido (FDA). Porém não houve diferenças significativas na digestibilidadede nutrientes conforme a substituição do milho pela silagem de resíduo da extração de amido da mandioca, assim como não interferiram nos valores de pH ruminal. Recomenda-se a substituição de 75% do milho pela silagem de resíduo da extração de amido da mandioca.

SUMMARY With aimto evaluate the effect of replacing the ground grain corn for silage of waste resulting from the extraction of cassava starch in diets for sheep in confinement, was measured the consumption, the digestibility of dry matter and nutrients, and the rumen pH. Were used five cannulated sheep, distributed in outline Latin square (5 x 5), composed of five animals, five diets and five experimental periods of 21 days, for a total of 105 days of experiment. The treatments were different levels of substitution (0, 25, 50, 75, 100%) of maize for silage of waste resulting from the extraction of cassava starch. The replacement levels obtained significant difference, obtaining cubic variation for the intake of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), organic matter (OM), ether extract (EE)and total carbohydrates (TC), and quadratic effect for neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF). But there were not significant differences in nutrient digestibility as the substitution of corn for silage of waste resulting from the extraction of cassava starch intake as well as not interfered in ruminal pH values. It is recommended the replacement of corn for silage 75% of residue of cassava starch extraction.

O objetivo definido neste trabalho foi verificar se produtores de leite que participam de arranjos horizontais (AH) possuem menor assimetria de informações, frente àqueles que não participam desses arranjos. Parte-se do pressuposto de que o maior acesso à informação resulta em menor risco para o produtor rural. Foram aplicados 120 questionários semiestruturados junto a produtores rurais de leite, localizados em quatro macrorregiões do Estado do Paraná. Foi realizada a análise fatorial exploratória (AFE) para definição de fatores relacionados à assimetria de informação em Sistemas Produtivos Leiteiros (SPL's). Os 120 produtores entrevistados foram divididos em dois grupos: aqueles que participavam de arranjos horizontais (AH) e aqueles que não participavam. Esses grupos foram confrontados com os fatores gerados na análise anterior. Foi encontrada diferença significativa (P<0,05) para os fatores "Informações relacionadas às transações" e "Informações globais para a atividade", sendo que produtores de leite que participavam de arranjos horizontais obtiveram melhores resultados. Por fim, conclui-se que produtores que participam de AH têm mais acesso à informação, o que pode criar um ambiente de menor assimetria de informações e consequentemente de menor risco, comparativamente a produtores que não participam de AH

An empirical investigation was conducted to study whether dairy farmers involved in horizontal arrangements (HA) have lower information asymmetry than those who do not participate in HA. Our assumption is that greater access to information results in fewer risky decisions in production systems. One hundred and twenty semi-structured questionnaires were applied to dairy farmers located in four different geographical regions in Paraná State, Brazil. Exploratory factor analysis was used to define factors related to information asymmetry in dairy agribusiness system (DAS) and four factors were defined. In a second step, the 120 dairy farmers were split into two groups: the first one involved in HA and the second one not involved in HA. Mean test (t-student) were performed to compare these groups between factors. Significant differences (P<0.05) were observed for factors related to transaction information and for general market information, and dairy farmers participating in HA achieved the greatest values. Finally, it can be concluded that dairy farmers who participate in HA have higher access to information, which can create an environment with lower information asymmetry and, consequently, be subject to lower risks than dairy farmers who do not participate in HA

Objetivou-se estudar o armazenamento do resíduo da extração de amido da mandioca, sem a utilização de tecnologias, por meio da avaliação química, valores de pH, temperatura, desenvolvimento de microrganismos e micotoxinas. O delineamento utilizado foi em blocos casualizados com oito tratamentos (diferentes dias de estocagem: 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 e 21) e cinco repetições. Houve diferença significativa para o teor de MS em função dos dias de estocagem. Obteve-se efeito linear negativo para os valores de pH, os quais decresceram com os dias de armazenamento. Houve significância do período de estocagem apenas sobre a população de fungos e leveduras, que se elevou até os 17 dias de estocagem, com posterior redução, micotoxinas foram detectadas no resíduo da extração do amido da mandioca. Apesar de não apresentar alterações na composição química, a estocagem do resíduo da extração do amido da mandioca por 21 dias demonstrou ser um processo de conservação ineficiente, devido ao desenvolvimento de fungos e presença de micotoxinas

The purpose of this paper was to study the storage of the residue from the extraction of cassava starch without the use of storage technologies, through chemical evaluation, pH values, temperature, development of microorganisms and mycotoxins. A randomized block design was used with eight treatments (different storage periods: 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 21 days) and five replications. There was a significant difference for DM content, as a function of days in storage. The chemical composition of the residue from the extraction of cassava starch did not changed throughout the storage period. A negative linear effect was obtained for the pH values, which decreased with days in storage. There was significance of the storage period only for the fungus and yeast population, which increased up to 17 days of storage, with subsequent reduction. Mycotoxins were detected in the residue from the extraction of cassava starch. Despite it did not showed changes in the chemical composition the storage of residue from the extraction of cassava starch for 21 days proved to be an inefficient preservation process, due to the development of molds and mycotoxins

The objective of the present study was to characterize the food sources, as well as the composition and quality of milk obtained from household farms of western Paraná State (Brazil) with and without technical assistance during the different seasons. For such, 24 properties were selected, 12 of which only received assistance and technical support. Four milk samples were taken (summer, autumn, winter and spring) to assess the physicochemical composition, somatic cell count and total bacterial count and feed supplied to the animals to assess the chemical composition (crude protein, ash, dry matter and neutral detergent fiber). The data were analyzed in a completely randomized design with a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement; the first factor was the presence and absence of technical assistance and the second factor was the four seasons of the year. Due to the dairy tradition of properties in the region, technical assistance had no significant effects on the health and nutritional quality of food, the number of animals, the production, or total bacterial count, which suffered oscillations only depending on the seasons of the year. However, the presence of assistance contributed to reducing somatic cell counts of milk produced and marketed. The technical assistance does not affect the quality of forages and concentrates used or the milk composition; however, it improves the sanitary quality of the milk produced throughout the four seasons of the year in household farms of western Paraná.

Com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos do uso de grão de oleaginosas sobre o desempenho e o valor nutricional das rações, foram utilizados 28 cabritos Saanen (16 machos e 12 fêmeas; 14,38±1,60 kg) distribuídos aleatoriamente em arranjo fatorial 4x2 (rações e sexos). Os tratamentos consistiram em rações compostas por feno de aveia, milho moído, farelo de soja e suplemento mineral e/ou grãos de oleaginosas em substituição ao milho, conforme os seguintes tratamentos: 1) controle; 2) 7,9% linhaça; 3) 7,3% de girassol; e 4) 8,0% de canola. A ingestão de matéria seca foi maior para ração controle. Não houve diferença entre os sexos para ingestão. O ganho médio diário (GMD) e a conversão alimentar (CA) não foram alterados. O número de dias em confinamento (DC) foi maior dentro da ração linhaça. Os cabritos machos apresentaram melhor GMD, CA e DC. A inclusão das oleaginosas aumentou a digestibilidade do extrato etéreo e reduziu a digestibilidade dos carboidratos totais. Não foram observadas diferenças para a concentração energética das rações. A inclusão dos grãos de linhaça, girassol ou canola nas rações de cabritos Saanen, em substituição (8% MS) ao milho, não traz benefícios ao desempenho, no entanto, esses alimentos podem ser utilizados sem que haja alteração do valor nutricional das rações.

Twenty-eight Saanen goat kids (16 non-castrated males and 12 females; 14.38±1.60 kg) were used to evaluate the performance and nutritional value of diets. Animals were randomly allotted into a 4x2 (diets x gender) factorial arrangement. Treatments consisted of four different total mixed diets composed of oat hay, soybean meal, mineral supplement, and/or oilseeds replacing ground corn (on dry matter basis), as follows: 1) control (without oilseeds), 2) diet containing 7.9% flaxseed, 3) diet with 7.3% sunflower, and 4) diet containing 8.0% canola. Dry matter intake was higher for animals receiving control diet. Gender did not influence dry matter and nutrient intake. Oilseeds did not affect the average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion (FC). Flaxseed diet showed more days in feedlot. Males showed better means of ADG, FC and days in feedlot. Diets containing oilseeds had higher values for ether extract digestibility and lower total carbohydrates than the control diet. The energetic value of diets did not alter. The inclusion of flaxseed, sunflower or canola in diets of Saanen goat kids in place (8% on a DM basis) corn, does not improve the performance, however these oilseeds may be used without changing the nutritional value of diets.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the microbiological profile and aerobic stability of silage with Tifton 85 bermudagrass and different additives and wilting. The studied treatments were: pre-drying in the sun for two hours before ensiling; use of bacterial-enzymatic inoculant; addition of soybean peel; addition of corn grits and use of salt in the surface layer of the silo. The experimental design was completely randomized with six treatments and four replications. Plants of Tifton 85 bermudagrass with 38 days were ensiled in experimental silos with Bunsen valves, with compacting density of 236 kg silage per m³ for Tifton 85 bermudagrass, which was pre-dried in the sun; the average silage was 294 kg m-3 for the other treatments. The ratios between soybean hulls and corn grits, added to the silage, were calculated based on the initial DM content from Tifton 85 bermudagrass in order to obtain 320 g/kg DM of the material to be ensiled. There was an increase of lactic bacteria and Clostridium as well as an absence of enterobacteria after the silo opening. Fungi developed only in Tifton 85 bermudagrass and its treatments before the ensilage and yeasts developed in silages of Tifton 85 bermudagrass when they received soybean hulls or corn grits after silo opening. There was no breach regarding aerobic stability of silages during the studied period. The pH reached the highest values within 48 hours after opening the silos, but there were variations during this period.

The objective of this study was to evaluate productive performance and milk quality of Saanen goats fed diets with soybean hulls replacing ground corn (0, 50 and 100% replacement) in early lactation (from birth to 50 days of lactation). Fourteen goats (72.30±9.14 kg of BW) were used in a completely randomized design. Animals were confined in individual stalls, with daily control of feed intake and milk production. On the 30th day of lactation, fecal sampling started in order to determine nutrients digestibility. Every month, milk samples were collected for analyses of fat, protein, lactose and total solid percentage, somatic cell count, N-urea, acidity, density and also milk fatty acid profile. No differences were observed between diets for body weight, daily weight gain and intake (kg/day) of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein or indigestible neutral detergent fiber. However, for neutral detergent fiber intake, the diet with complete substitution presented the best results. Cocerning digestibility coefficients of dry matter and nutrients (organic matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber) the diet with 100% replacement also presented the best results. For milk production, milk production efficiency and milk composition, no difference was observed between diets. For milk fatty acid profile, there were differences between diets for some fatty acids. Soybean hulls can be used replacing ground corn in diets for Saanen goats in the early lactation, because it improves the digestibility of the diet and nutrients, does not change productive performance or the milk physical-chemical quality and increases the content of n-3 fatty acids in milk.

This research study was conducted to evaluate, by means of microbiological analyses, the preservation of wet brewery waste stored under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, regarding the development of filamentous fungi, yeasts and lactic-acid bacteria. The following treatments were used: untreated brewery waste, pre-dried brewery waste silage, brewery waste silage with effluent drainage and BW silage without effluent drainage. Silos made of PVC and equipped with Bunsen valves to allow gases to escape were used. Dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), temperature (°C) and pH in the untreated BW, in the stored brewery waste and in the brewery waste silage upon silo opening, after 60 days of ensilage were analyzed. A completely randomized design was used. The data were subjected to analysis of variance, and the means were compared by the Tukey test at the 5% probability level. The preservation of brewery waste packaged under aerobic conditions was not appropriate due to the development of filamentous fungi and yeasts; however, storage under anaerobic conditions proved to be an effective conservation process.