ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to assess the accuracy of the content of total mixed rations (TMR) offered to high-producing cows from 20 dairy herds of Castro, Paraná State, Brazil. The average milk yield during the sample collection period was 38.0±6.8 kg/day, with 3.47±0.25% milk fat and 3.05±0.18% milk protein. The particle size distribution of samples of fresh diet and leftovers was evaluated using the Penn State Particle Separator (PSPS) and chemical analysis was also conducted. The TMR homogeneity was estimated by the coefficient of variation (CV) of particles retained on the two intermediary sieves (<19 and >1.18 mm), in which a CV higher than 5% indicated a poorly mixed TMR. The TMR offered exceeded the formulated TMR only for NDF (+7.3%) and was lower than the formulated TMR for CP (−6.5%), ADF (−10.1%), and ash (−18.6%) contents. These differences are due to daily variations in feed quality, mixing equipment, and ingredient mixing order, mostly for forage. Differences between leftovers and TMR offered were substantial: −9.4% for CP, +25.1% for NDF, +31.6% for ADF, and +13.1% for ash, suggesting a feed sorting effect against long forage particles and in favor of small concentrate particles. The proportion of the offered TMR retained in the top PSPS sieve showed positive correlations with NDF (r = 0.58) and ADF (r = 0.54) contents of the refusals, which indicates that cows sort against long particles. Positive correlations were also found between the CV in the second sieve and NDF (r = 0.56) and ADF (r = 0.47) contents of refusals, suggesting that poorly mixed diets are more easily sorted by cows. Therefore, evaluating the chemical and physical properties of TMR, especially for forage, is extremely important for providing a consistent diet.

RESUMO. Este estudo foi realizado para comparar sistemas intensivos de produção de leite no Brasil e na Holanda por meio da análise SWOT. Foram amostradas 21 propriedades, sendo 10 na região central da Holanda, na cidade de Wageningen e 11 no Brasil, na região centro oriental do estado do Paraná, na cidade de Castro. A aquisição das informações foi baseada em entrevistas semiestruturadas, realizadas com os proprietários ou responsáveis pela atividade, utilizando um questionário guia e um gravador digital. Após a análise dos resultados, foi montada uma tabela representando os pontos fortes e pontos fracos, a oportunidade e os riscos de cada país. As propriedades da Holanda apresentaram uma regularidade entre si: serem de pequeno e médio porte, com alta intensificação da produção. Observou-se também que as propriedades holandesas vêm sendo acometidas com diversos problemas ocasionados por essa alta intensificação como, por exemplo, doenças de casco, que representam grande perda econômica. As propriedades brasileiras apresentaram diversos tipos de sistemas e escalas de produção. Observou-se que a produção das propriedades brasileiras desta região é superior em quantidade em relação às da Holanda; entretanto apresentou menor intensificação quando comparada às propriedades holandesas.

ABSTRACT. Intensive systems of milk production in Brazil and Holland are compared by SWOT analysis. Twenty-one farms, 10 in Wageningen, central region of Holland, and 11 in Castro, central-eastern region of the state of Paraná, Brazil, were sampled. Data were retrieved from semi-structured interviews with the owners or people responsible for dairy activities, using a questionnaire guide and a digital recorder. After results were analysed, a table was elaborated representing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and risks for each country. Dairy farms in Holland were uniform, or rather, small and medium-sized farms with high production. It has also been observed that Dutch farms have several problems due to high intensification, for example, hoof diseases with great economic loss. In the case of Brazilian dairy farms, several types of systems and degrees were detected. Brazilian production in the region analysed features a higher quantity than that in Holland, with less intensity when compared to that on Dutch farms.