ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of improving the economic value of integrated crop-livestock systems (ICLS) compared to conventional systems specialized in monoculture. The experimental area was 16.02 ha, divided into 18 paddocks of 0.89 ha each, organized in a randomized block design, with three replicates and six models of production systems: crop system [corn ( Zea mays ) grain production], livestock system (beef cattle under grazing conditions), and four ICLS, identified as: ICLS-1, corn integrated with Marandu palisadegrass [ Urochloa brizantha (Hoechst. ex A. Rich.) R.D. Webster cv. Marandu (syn. Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu] sown simultaneously without herbicide; ICLS-2, corn and Marandu palisadegrass sown simultaneously with herbicide; ICLS-3, corn and Marandu palisadegrass with lagged sowing; and ICLS-4, corn and Marandu palisadegrass sown simultaneously, with herbicide in rows and between-rows of corn. We demonstrated the economic impact analysis combined with the risk optimization and discounted cash flow techniques based on Monte Carlo simulation, considering price and productivity uncertainties. The indicators of added value and return on investment of ICLS had an economic advantage compared with conventional systems. It was also found that ICLS needed a smaller operational area than conventional systems for the economic break-even point. Integrated systems provide lower financial and operational risk levels and greater economic value per hectare compared with conventional systems specialized in monoculture.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to analyze the perceptions of professionals in relation to the importance of indicators used to assess the sustainability of Brazilian dairy cattle. A survey method was used through a questionnaire. The target audience was professionals related to dairy cattle: researchers, professors, consultants, farmers, and other professionals. The total number of respondents to the survey was 347. Cluster analysis resulted in the formation of four distinct groups: G1 (“Holistic”), participants agreed that all indicators are very important or, at least, important; G2 (“Technician”) considered the indicators important and desirable, except for some environmental indicators which were assessed as non-priority and expendable; G3 (“Socio-environmentalist”) assessed the indicators as desirable, but environmental indicators received more importance; and G4 (“Skeptic”) generally believed that indicators were non-priority and expendable. The groups showed significant differences in relation to knowledge about technical, economic, social, and environmental aspects of dairy cattle. More than 60% of professionals consider milk production per area, reproductive index, production costs, profit from the activity, milk quality, quality of life of the producer and employees, succession, protection of water courses, and soil management as very important indicators of the sustainability of dairy cattle. On the other hand, important environmental indicators such as emissions of gases and substances, energy use, nutrient balance, and land use were neglected by most respondents. These results can help select and implement policies and strategies for decision making, aiming at producing milk in a more sustainable way.

ABSTRACT The experiment aimed to analyze the economic viability of using high-energy diets and the supplementation of chromium propionate or calcium salts of palm oil in the diet of ewes from the late gestation until the end of lactation. Seventy-two ewes of Santa Ines × Dorper crossbreeds were allocated to five treatments: CTL (n = 14) with 100% of NRC recommendation for metabolizable energy per kg dry matter intake (ME/kg DMI), LOW (n = 14) with 90% ME/kg DMI, HIGH (n = 15) with 110% ME/kg DMI, Cr (n = 15) HIGH diet plus chromium propionate, and FAT (n = 14) HIGH diet plus calcium salts of palm oil. Based on the performance data, a short-term analysis was performed for a module of 1000 ewes, evaluating costs, revenues, and profitability, and long-term analysis was performed by an additional cash flow of 120 months. The CTL and FAT treatments were not viable due to higher costs and lower revenues, and they also had a negative net present value (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR). The LOW treatment, despite lower costs and positive profitability, had a negative NPV (-$872.90) and IRR (1.85%) that was below the discount rate, making it unprofitable in the long run. The HIGH and Cr treatments were considered feasible because they had lower unit costs and higher profitability, in addition to a high NPV ($64,894.11 and 104,902.05, respectively) and a higher IRR (9.03% and 13.65%, respectively) than the discount rate. The use of high-energy diets, with added chromium propionate, promoted better performance and, consequently, better economic return.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to characterize 24 representative sheep production farms from five mesoregions in the state of Paraná, Southern Brazil, so that economic and productive improvement strategies could be proposed. The representative farms for each region were defined at meetings with sheep farmers and technicians via the rapid appraisal methodology and represent 65% of the state’s flock. The information of each representative farm was collected between March 2015 and February 2016. Principal component analysis was used to verify the relationships among the different variables that characterized the farms. These characteristics were: number of ewes (V1), total cost per kilogram of revenue-generating product (V2), feeding costs (V3), labor costs (V4), facility and equipment depreciation costs (V5), and gross margin in the production cycle (V6). Cluster analysis was performed, resulting in three distinct groups: one including eight, another seven, and the third, nine farms. The results aided in classifying the farms into groups with similar characteristics, such as production scale, reproductive efficiency, technical and managerial control, appreciation of cooperatives, and availability of continuous technical assistance. The production scale, reproductive and productive efficiency, adoption of technologies, and cooperative organizational structure can be emphasized as positive performance benchmarks and were the most important aspects to achieve positive economic results.

ABSTRACT The objective of the present study was to evaluate the reduction of calcium (Ca), crude protein (CP), metabolizable energy (ME), and available phosphorus (aP) in the nutritional matrix of Brazilian commercial broiler diets supplemented with both phytase superdosing (1500 FTU/kg) or conventional doses (500 FTU/kg) on the feed cost and profitability, performance, bone mineralization, and carcass yield of broiler from 1 to 42 d. A total 1200 one-day-old chicks (Cobb 500) were randomly distributed in a commercial feeding program composed of a positive control diet and three diets with reduction of Ca, aP, CP, and ME in the nutritional matrix supplemented with 500, 1000, and 1500 FTU/kg of phytase. The broilers subjected to diets with phytase superdosing presented similar performance, bone ash, and carcass yield, among the treatments. There was a linear effect in the total nutrition cost, gross margin, and estimated net margin per bird with the increase of dietary inclusion of phytase in all purposed scenarios. Thus, for each 500 FTU/kg of dietary phytase included in the diet with reduction of Ca, P, ME, and CP in the nutritional matrix, the total nutrition cost decreased R$ 0.072/bird, R$ 0.079/bird, and R$ 0.081/bird in scenarios of high, medium, and low prices of corn and soybean meal, respectively, that allowed an increase in the estimated net margin of R$ 0.20/bird, R$ 0.22/bird, and R$ 0.22/bird in the same scenarios.

ABSTRACT The objective with this study was to calculate the total cost of maize production and beef cattle in permanent pasture activities in separate production systems (conventional) and integrated systems (maize production plus beef cattle), as well as to verify economic gains explained by the economy of scope. The first step for the development of the research was to obtain field experimental data. Six experimental treatments were studied: corn grain production, beef cattle in permanent pasture, and four integrated systems based on different crop and pasture sowings. The second step consisted in the collection, calculation, and allocation of variable and fixed costs to estimate costs of production in the systems. The crop-livestock integration showed economic gains in relation to conventional systems, which can be explained by the dilution of fixed costs and the presence of shareable inputs, resulting in economy of scope. It was also possible to demonstrate that total unit costs of both crop and livestock were lower in crop-livestock integration, showing that integrated systems resulted in economic benefits as compared with conventional ones.

ABSTRACT The objective with this study was to evaluate the impact of different swine nutritional strategies and technologies, as well as the land spread system, on logistical costs of pig manure distribution. For this, pigs were fed a conventional diet (C0) or a diet supplemented with 0.01% phytase (C1); organic minerals (40% substitution; C2); synthetic amino acids at reduced dietary crude protein levels (C3); or a combination of the three strategies (C4). All pig manure was weighed, then its chemical composition was determined. The mineral values and volume of manure produced were extrapolated to corresponding pig farm sizes in Sao Paulo state (300, 650, and 1000 sows) from real pig manure levels to produce simulations. To determine the logistical cost of manure distribution, two distribution systems were considered: vacuum tank tractor and vacuum tank truck (4.30 and 15 m3, respectively). The land spread truck system had the highest cost/hour worked due to the higher fuel consumption. However, this cost might be different over greater distances. Manure production, as well as the nutrient levels of N, P, and K, were lower for swine fed diets supplemented with nutritional technologies. Therefore, the different nutritional technologies reduced the transportation and distribution cost of pig manure by reducing the area and, consequently, the distances that need to be traveled for distribution. However, from an agronomic point of view (i.e., to meet a crop fertilization demand per hectare), manure from pigs fed diets supplemented with nutritional technologies had a higher application rate on land.

ABSTRACT The present experiment was carried out to evaluate the economic viability of supplementing boar diets with organic selenium aiming to increase the number of seminal doses of sexually mature boars. Twelve boars were divided into three groups: control group received 0.3 mg kg−1 Se from sodium selenite (n = 4), inorganic group received 0.5 mg kg−1 Se from sodium selenite (n = 4), and organic group received 0.5 mg kg−1 Se from Sel-PlexTM (Alltech, Inc., n = 4). The experiment was conducted within 10 weeks and analysis was performed fortnightly. No interaction was observed between treatments and weeks for any of the variables analyzed. Boars fed diet supplemented with 0.5 mg kg−1 of organic selenium exhibited a 23% increase in the seminal doses, which resulted in a 37% reduction in the cost of diet per dose produced by boars in this group compared with boars in the inorganic group. It should be pointed out that the total revenue produced by the organic group was 26% higher than the inorganic group. The feeding of organic Se increases the number of seminal doses and reduces the average cost of the diet, demonstrating to be cost-effective.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to develop a simulation model to analyse the technical, economic, and financial performance of using different reproductive strategies in dairy herds. Strategies simulated were: artificial insemination (AI) using conventional semen after oestrus detection (AIC), AI using sex-sorted semen after oestrus detection (AIS), timed artificial insemination (TAI) using conventional semen (TAIC), and TAI using sex-sorted semen (TAIS). The total time horizon analysed corresponded to 25 years, divided into 425 periods of 21 days. The model simulates the biological cycle that takes place within the bovine herd, and uses input information (productive parameters, investments, and reproductive program) to calculate output information (animal inventory variance, incomes, costs, and cash flow analysis). Based on the obtained cash flow, the payback period, net present value, and internal rate of return were calculated. The payback for AIC, AIS, TAIC, and TAIS occurred in 26, 27, 23, and 25 periods. The net present value and the internal rate of return per year of the investment for AIC, AIS, TAIC, and TAIS were US$ 557773 and 59.44%; US$ 520469 and 54.76%; US$ 741800 and 70.22%; and US$ 662891 and 63.52%, respectively. The mean culling rate over 25 years for AIC, AIS, TAIC, and TAIS was 43.30%, 64.89%, 21.12%, and 36.40%, respectively. The simulation clearly demonstrated the economic and technical benefits of using TAI in dairy herds. These benefits are greater when TAI is used with conventional semen, despite the large investment in technology that is required. Using this mathematical model, future studies could be conducted when the assessment of the technical and economic viability of new scenarios is required.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to develop a feedlot beef cattle calculation model and production cost analysis and, from the results obtained, devise a production cost index. A case study was conducted to understand the characteristics of the productive processes of a commercial feedlot. Then, based on the Economic Theory, cost items of the farm under analysis were identified and transferred to a spreadsheet. The survey included ten feedlot farmers from the state of São Paulo and other nine from the state of Goiás and was carried out to determine representative properties, and prices of items used were monitored. Production costs of each farm were calculated, and theoretical concepts of index numbers were used to devise the feedlot cattle production cost index. The cost allocation scheme was divided into four cost groups: variable, semi-fixed, fixed, and production remuneration factors. The developed model allowed a cost prognosis of the analyzed systems. Highest total costs for São Paulo State feedlots were R$ 9.17 kg−1 and R$ 9.08 kg−1 for average-sized and large farms, respectively, as contrasted to that of Goiás, of R$ 8.29 kg−1. Between the months April and June, the cost of production for feedlot beef cattle showed reductions of 1.48 and 1.40% for the average and large feedlots in the State of São Paulo and 9.13% for the Goiás feedlot by the Konüs Exact Index, respectively. Studies available in literature were compared and it was concluded that the model can help feedlot cattle farmers take production decisions. The Konüs Index allows for a methodological advancement in relation to other studies carried out on the Brazilian livestock industry; besides, it can contribute to the sector organization.

RESUMO O objetivo com este trabalho foi estimar os custos para produção de ovos, bem como os impactos da implementação das normas de biosseguridade descritas pelas normativas de número 56/2007, 59/2009, 36/2012, 10/2013. Visando o atendimento ao “Programa Nacional de Sanidade Avícola” e ao “Plano Nacional de Prevenção da Influenza Aviária e de Controle e Prevenção da Doença de Newcastle”, o Ministério da Agricultura publicou uma série de atos legais para estabelecer os “Procedimentos para Registro, Fiscalização e Controle de Estabelecimentos Avícolas de Reprodução e Comerciais”, intensificando as medidas para prevenção da ocorrência de enfermidades de grande impacto econômico no plantel avícola do país. As adequações englobam itens de estrutura e procedimentos de biosseguridade que visam aumentar o nível de isolamento das aves, para mantê-las com o melhor status sanitário possível. Essas exigências podem resultar em mais despesas e dedicação por parte dos produtores. Desta forma, custos de produção foram obtidos por meio de entrevistas pessoais com 10 produtores de fazendas comerciais de avicultura de postura na região de Limeira, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, entre junho e julho de 2013. O resultado deste estudo sugere que a implantação da biosseguridade tem custo relativamente baixo frente aos possíveis riscos de enfermidades e dos prejuízos econômicos que essas enfermidades podem causar, o que justifica a adoção destas práticas.

SUMMARY The objective of this study was to estimate costs for egg production and for implementation of biosecurity measures described by Normative Instructions No. 56/2007, No. 59/2009, No. 36/2012 and No. 10/2013 on production costs in these establishments. To attend the “National Avian Health Program” and the “National Plan for the Prevention of Avian Influenza and Control and Prevention of Newcastle Disease”, the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture published a series of legal acts to establish the “Procedures for Register, Inspection and Control of Breeding and Commercial Avian Establishments” intensifying the measures for prevention of high economic impact illnesses in avian flocks of the country. The adaptations comprise items of structure and biosecurity procedures that aim to increase the level of isolation of the birds to maintain them with the best health status as possible. These adaptations can result in more expenses and dedication from the producers. Thus, production costs were obtained through personal interviews with 10 voluntary commercial farmers of laying hens in Limeira region, Sao Paulo State, Brazil, between June and July, 2013. The result of this study suggests that the implementation of biosecurity measures has relatively low costs when compared to the possible risks of diseases outbreaks and the consequent economic losses that justify the adoption of these practices.

ABSTRACT A linear programming mathematical model was applied to a representative dairy farm located in Brazil. The results showed that optimization models are relevant tools to assist in the planning and management of agricultural production, as well as to assist in estimating potential gains from the use of integrated systems. Diversification was a necessary condition for economic viability. A total cost reduction potential of about 30% was revealed when a scenario of lower levels of diversification was contrasted to one of higher levels. Technical complementarities proved to be important sources of economies. The possibility of reusing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium present in animal waste could be increased to 167%, while water reuse could be increased up to 150%. In addition to economic gains, integrated systems bring benefits to the environment, especially with reference to the reuse of resources. The cost dilution of fixed production factors can help economies of scope to be achieved. However, this does not seem to have been the main source of these benefits. Still, the percentage of land use could increase up to 30.7% when the lowest and the highest diversification scenarios were compared. The labor coefficient could have a 4.3 percent increase. Diversification also leads to drastic transaction cost reductions.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to develop a model for calculation and analysis of production costs of lamb and, from that, to elaborate a production cost index. Panel meetings were held in five regions of the state of São Paulo, Brazil, to define technical features of representative properties of lamb production, taken as a basis for the preparation of the cost calculation model. Then the model for production cost calculation was built. The third step consisted of monitoring prices of inputs used, calculating production costs along the studied period, and generating the cost index, by the Laspeyres model. Lastly, questionnaires were applied to sheep producers, to validate the cost index. The model for production cost calculation was planned to be of easy utilization by farmers, and simultaneously faithful to the theoretical principles. The adopted scheme of cost allocation followed the classification of "variable", "fixed operating", and "income of factors". We generated cost indexes for each of the five studied regions, which were then aggregated in a state index, by weighting regional indexes by flock size. More than 97% of the answers to the validation questionnaires were positive, so we considered that the index reached a high level of approval. The application of Economic Theory is essential for the development of cost calculation models. The developed model has potential to generate important information that can help producers to make decisions. It can work in many contexts, and it can even be adapted to other livestock species. The production cost index for lamb was approved and can collaborate with the organization of the sheep agroindustrial system.

Objetivou-se analisar os custos e a rentabilidade de sistemas de produção de ovinos em pastagem sob três estratégias de suplementação de cordeiros lactentes: (1) creep grazing de trevo branco; (2) creep feeding; e (3) sem suplementação. Utilizaram-se dois métodos de análise financeira: análise anual (de curto prazo) e de fluxo de caixa (de longo prazo). Os custos foram segmentados em variáveis, fixos, operacionais e totais. O fator de produção que exerceu maior influência no custo variável da produção foi a alimentação, e no custo total foi o custo de oportunidade do capital imobilizado. O sistema com creep grazing não apresentou resultados econômico-financeiros superiores aos com creep feeding.

The objective was to analyze production costs and profitability of grazing sheep productions systems under three strategies of lamb's supplementation: (1) white clover on creep grazing; (2) creep feeding; and (3) not supplemented. Two methods of financial analyses where used: annual (short term) and cash flow (long term). Costs were classified into variable, fixed, operational and total. Results showed that feeding and opportunity cost over investment was the most important production factors at variable and total costs, respectively. System with creep grazing supplementation did not show greater economic financial results over creep feeding supplementation system.

O experimento foi realizado com o objetivo de investigar efeitos zootécnicos e econômicos da associação de probióticos adicionados à dieta de leitões no aleitamento e na creche. Foram utilizados 144 leitões do nascimento até os 62 dias de idade. No aleitamento o delineamento foi inteiramente casualizado com dois tratamentos: Controle e Probiótico A. Na creche, foram blocos casualizados com arranjo fatorial de tratamentos 2x3: Probiótico A e Probiótico B; Controle e Probiótico B; Probiótico A e Probiótico A; Controle e Controle; Probiótico A e animais desafiados; e Controle e animais desafiados. Aos 35 dias de idade 48 animais da creche foram inoculados com Salmonella Typhimurium via oral. Avaliou-se peso médio, consumo médio de ração, o ganho de peso médio e a conversão alimentar. Para a análise econômica, calcularam-se os custos das dietas durante a creche e o desempenho da receita de comercialização dos animais. O consumo de ração utilizado na análise corresponde àquele ocorrido no período total de 21 a 62 dias de idade. Na maternidade não foi observado efeito nos parâmetros avaliados. Na creche, a conversão alimentar foi favorável ao tratamento Probiótico A Probiótico A. Na avaliação econômica o tratamento Controle Probiótico B apresentou menor custo em relação aos demais, podendo, assim, representar uma alternativa satisfatória.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of probiotics association added to piglets diets in lactation and nursery. A total of 144 piglets from birth to 62 days old were raised. The design with two treatments (Control and Probiotic A) was totally randomized in lactation. In the nursery, randomized blocks with factorial arrangement 2x3 were defined: Probiotic A and Probiotic B; Control and Probiotic B; Probiotic A and Probiotic A; Control and Control; Probiotic A with challenged animals; and Control and challenged animals. At 35 days from birth 48 animals of the nursery were orally inoculated with Salmonella Typhimurium. Average weight, feed consumption, average weight gain and feed conversion were assessed. For economic analysis, the costs of diet during the nursery and income of animal's sale were calculated. Feed consumption considered for analysis was the one related to the period of 21 to 62 days of life. No effect was observed on evaluated parameters in the maternity. Positive effect was observed on feed conversion for Probiotic A and Probiotic A treatment in nursery. In economic evaluation, Control and Probiotic B treatment showed lower cost compared to other ones, thus representing a satisfactory alternative.