Submitted by (lucia.rodrigues@ufrpe.br) on 2017-05-17T13:59:36Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Soraia de Souza Silva.pdf: 1059497 bytes, checksum: 877a12f3b8ef607de7873134517316e7 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-17T13:59:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Soraia de Souza Silva.pdf: 1059497 bytes, checksum: 877a12f3b8ef607de7873134517316e7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-08-27 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The objective of this study was characterize and evaluate technological, husbandry and socio-economic profiles; identify and quantify benchmarks in dairy cattle production systems on family farms from Agreste Pernambucano. To identify and quantify the benchmark indicators was evaluated a database of the Academic Unit of Garanhuns/UFRPE, collected monthly and updated by the Foundation of the General Price Index Getúlio Vargas (IGP-FGV). The benchmark indicators correlated and their values in the four scenarios were: average milk production/lactating cow, average milk production; lactating cows/total herd; milk production/labor; milk production/area; average milk price; effective operational cost/milk price; total operational cost/milk price; total cost/milk price; labour spend/gross milk income; concentrate spend/ gross milk income; capital stock with land; capital invested per liter of milk and profitability. Economic indicators: average milk production, milk production by lactating cows, milk production by labour, milk production by area and milk price were positively correlated with the rate of return on capital invested in the dairy business. The indicators: effective operational cost, total operational cost and total cost/milk price, labour spend and concentrated spend/gross milk income, capital stock with land and capital invested per liter of milk were correlated negatively with rate of return on capital invested in the dairy business. For the analyzed familiar farms can become competitive and therefore profitable, it is required to identify and quantify benchmark indicators most correlated to profitability, aiming to diagnose the weaknesses of dairy farming in this region and increase animal production and land. / Objetivou-se caracterizar e avaliar os perfis tecnológicos, zootécnicos e socioeconômicos; identificar e quantificar indicadores-referência (benchmark), em sistemas de produção de bovinos de leite da agricultura familiar no Agreste Pernambucano. Para identificar e quantificar os indicadores-referência foram avaliados os dados contidos em um banco de dados pertencentes a Unidade Acadêmica de Garanhuns/UFRPE, coletados mensalmente e atualizados pelo Índice Geral de Preços da Fundação Getúlio Vargas (IGP-FGV). Os indicadores-referência correlacionados e seus respectivos valores nos quatro cenários de 4, 6, 8 e 10% ao ano foram: produção média de leite/vaca em lactação, produção média de leite; vacas em lactação/rebanho total; produção de leite/mão de obra; produção de leite/área; preço médio do leite; custo operacional efetivo/preço do leite; custo operacional total/preço do leite; custo total/preço do leite; gasto com mão de obra/renda bruta do leite; gasto com concentrado/renda bruta do leite; estoque de capital com a terra; capital investido por litro de leite e lucratividade. Os indicadores econômicos: produção média de leite, produção de leite por vacas em lactação, produção de leite por mão de obra, produção de leite por área e preço do leite foram correlacionados positivamente com a taxa de remuneração do capital investido na atividade leiteira. Os indicadores: custo operacional efetivo, custo operacional total e custo total pelo preço do leite, gasto com mão de obra e com concentrado pela renda bruta do leite, estoque do capital com a terra e capital investido por litro de leite correlacionaram-se negativamente com a taxa de remuneração do capital investido na atividade leiteira. Para que as propriedades familiares analisadas possam se tornar competitivas e consequentemente lucrativas são necessários a identificação e quantificação de indicadores-referência mais correlacionados com rentabilidade, com intuito de diagnosticar os pontos frágeis da pecuária leiteira nessa região e aumentar a produção dos fatores animal e terra.

The research presented in this thesis focuses on an innovative use of digital imaging, and the machine learning techniques to assess the body rumen fill scoring in dairy cows. This study aims to enhance the efficiency of monitoring and managing dairy cow health, which is crucial for the dairy industry's productivity and sustainability. The primary objective was to develop an automated annotation system fore valuating rumen fill status in dairy cows using digital images extracted from recorded videos. This system leverages advanced machine learning algorithms and neural networks, aiming to mimic manual assessments by veterinarians and specialists on farms. To achieve the above objectives, this thesis made use of already existing video records from a Swedish dairy farm hosting mainly the Swedish Redand the Swedish Holstein breeds. A subset of these images were then processed, manually classified using a modified rumen fill scoring system based on visual assessment, and supervised classification algorithms were trained on 277 manually annotated images. The thesis explored various machine learning techniques for classifying these images, including Logistic Regression, Support Vector Machine (SVM), and a Deep Neural Network using the VGG16 architecture. These models were trained, validated, and tested with a dataset that included variations in cow color patterns, aiming to determine the most effective approach for automated rumen fill scoring.The results indicated that while each model had its strengths and weaknesses, the simple logistic model was performing the best in terms of test accuracy and F1 score. This research contributes to the field of precision livestock farming, particularly in the context of dairy farming. By automating the process of rumen fill scoring, the study aims to provide dairy farmers with a reliable, efficient, and cost-effective tool for monitoring cow health. This tool has the potential to enhance dairy cow welfare, improve milk production, and support the sustainability of dairy farming operations. However, at the current state, the model accuracy of the best model was only moderate. There is a need for further improvement of the prediction performance possibly by adding more cow images, using improved image processing, and feature engineering.

This study presents two separate competitiveness analyses to assess changes in, and factors influencing, the long-term competitiveness of a panel of commercial milk producers in East Griqualand (EG), South Africa. The Unit Cost Ratio (UCR) method was used to measure competitiveness of EG milk producers. It is defined as the ratio of dairy enterprise accounting costs plus an opportunity cost of management at 5% of milk revenue, to total dairy enterprise revenue. The initial UCR analysis was used to partly investigate the impact of dairy market deregulation on the relative competitiveness of EG milk producers over the period 1983 to 2006. The results of this UCR analysis found that the sample of EG milk producers were not competitive based on the net local price, PL, received for milk but were competitive when dairy cattle trading income was included. This suggests that dairy cattle trading income played an important role in enhancing the competitiveness of EG dairy enterprises in the study period. Further UCR analysis revealed that differences in the inherent ability of members of the EG group to manage market deregulation impacted on the relative competitiveness of EG milk producers. The top onethird of the sample of EG milk producers remained relatively competitive from 1983 to 2006 due to higher real milk prices and lower real unit costs than producers in the bottom one-third category. Differences in relative competitiveness between the top and bottom one-third categories of producers were statistically significant. Based on the findings of the UCR analysis, a Ridge regression analysis was then used to investigate other factors influencing the long-term competitiveness of selected milk producers from EG using unbalanced panel data for the period 1990 – 2006. Results of the regression analysis showed that dairy herd size, the level of farm debt, annual production per cow, technology and policy changes over time, and the ratio of trading income to total milk income influence the long-term competitiveness of these milk producers. To enhance their competitiveness in a deregulated dairy market, relatively small and profitable EG milk producers should consider increasing herd sizes as the importance of herd size in explaining competitiveness suggests that size economies exist. All EG milk producers should consider utilising more pasture and other forages to lower feed costs and select dairy cattle of superior genetic merit to improve milk yields. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2009.

This study explores issues arising from the adoption of the term 'clean and green' for marketing New Zealand dairy products. Three dimensions of environmental quality were investigated: that of sustainable dairying and best practice for the benefit of farmers and the industry; resource management legislation and being a 'good neighbour'; and export marketing opportunities and issues. The study was undertaken during a time of major structural upheaval in the dairy industry, including yearly company amalgamations in the study area, rapid conversion of farmland to dairying, as well as factory expansion to process the increasing supply of product. The focus of the study was on the individual farmer, how perceptions and preferences are formed, and how in turn, these influence farm practice. World views drawn from Cultural Theory were adopted as the basis for analysis. Farmers were classified according to particular world views and the symbolic and reflexive use of concepts such as 'clean and green' was analysed. A model of overlapping ecological, agricultural and social systems was used to develop a wider understanding of preference formation. Through a mixed methodology, focusing on a case study approach, farmer and stakeholder world views were compared on key themes, including the 'clean green' pastoral myth, 'cues for care' and environmental issues. Media discourse as well as consumer views were used to expand understanding of the context. The study found that both farmers (within their groups) and stakeholders held different objectives and opinions on environmental issues and options for change, based on their various world views and preferences. There was general agreement both among farmers and stakeholders on the New Zealand 'clean green' image and 'cues for care', or signs that indicate good farm management. The reason for this was demonstrated to be the way in which these two aspects are communicated; through symbolic images that each individual perceived in terms of their respective world view. A symbolic form of action, an environmental management system, was trialled with farmers. Analysis indicated that national aspirations created by the 'clean green' pastoral myth required farmers to respond to environmental expectations, but that an image that symbolized environment as care and quality, rather than as place was needed to provide a less ambiguous goal. The findings of the trial were integrated with theory to interpret context and develop policy, strategy and action proposals for a system for environmental quality for the industry. The study has implications for non-regulatory mechanisms relevant to sustainable dairy farming, communication within the rural community, and branding.

No description available.

South African dairy farmers have generally used kikuyu pasture to tide them over from one ryegrass season to the next, and as a result of its resilient nature, have assumed careful management of it to be unnecessary. This has resulted in its mismanagement which is unaffordable in current times where the profitability of dairy farming is increasingly dependent on low input, pasture-based systems. Kikuyu pasture may play a larger role in supplying nutrients to dairy cattle over the summer months in future as the alternative home produced feed sources such as silage and perennial ryegrass become increasingly unaffordable. Improving animal production from kikuyu is difficult as there is little information relating kikuyu pasture management to dairy cow performance. Efficient utilization and quality of temperate pasture have been more comprehensibly researched. The relations discovered between the chemical compounds in temperate grass species have been applied to tropical pastures such as kikuyu with limited success and often confusing results. For example, crude fibre in kikuyu was found to be positively related to digestibility. In South Africa, much research has been done on the use of kikuyu in beef production systems. This information has been applied to dairy farming systems with limited success, owing to the higher metabolic demands of dairy animals. Pasture farming needs to become more precise to improve pasture quality and hence milk yields as research trials focussing on stocking rate and grazing system comparisons have yielded results that are too general with little application at the farming level. A need for integrated and flexible management of animals and pastures has been recognised. The grazing interval is a key aspect in improving pasture and animal performance and fixed rotation lengths and stocking rates have been identified as being detrimental to performance. The relation between growth stage and pasture quality has lead researchers to identify plant growth characteristics, such as pasture height and leaf stage, as signs of grazing readiness. At the four and a half leaves per tiller stage of regrowth, the chemical composition ofthe kikuyu plant is more in line with the requirements ofthe dairy cow, with the leaf to stem ratio at its highest. The primary limitation of kikuyu pasture is a lack of energy, particularly readily fermentable carbohydrate, which makes the fermentation of structural carbohydrates difficult and dry matter intakes are reduced. Other limitations to animal performance include high cell wall constituents, low calcium, magnesium and sodium content and antinutritional factors such as nitrate and insoluble oxalate. These deficiencies and antinutritional factors are in some cases unique to 5 kikuyu pasture, meaning that kikuyu specific supplementation may be the key to improving performance from dairy cattle grazing kikuyu pasture. The objectives are to evaluate current kikuyu management systems in South Africa and their impact on dairy cow performance and to evaluate the use of pasture height and burning as quality control tools. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2007.

Tuberculosis (TB) is an ancient infectious disease that has been infecting different populations around the globe and it has also been considered as one of the most successful human and animal disease. TB found in animals such as cattle and other known bovids is known as bovine tuberculosis. Bovine tuberculosis (BTB) is an infectious disease found in cattle mainly caused by Mycobacterium bovis. M. bovis is a member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) together with M. tuberculosis, M. africanum, and M. canetti where the natural host is humans; whereas M. caprae, M. microti and M. pinnipedii usually have animals as their natural host. In this study the molecular characterization of the MTC from cow milk in the Eastern Cape was investigated. One hundred and twenty samples (40 ml each) were collected from three dairy farms in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. These samples were processed using a modified Petroff decontamination method. Sample processing was followed by DNA isolation using a Zymo Bacterial/Fungal DNA Kit and the amplification and detection of the MTC was done using the Seeplex MTB Nested ACE assay. The drug susceptibility tests were done using GenoTypeMTBDRplus assay which detects mutations and resistance to INH (isoniazid) and RMP (rifampicin). The milk isolates were further analyzed using a spoligotyping method which is based on the PCR amplification of a highly polymorphic direct repeat locus in the M. tuberculosis genome which detects and types the MTC. A percentage of 20.8 % samples were found to be positive for MTC using the Seeplex MTB Nested ACE assay. There were 42.1 % samples that were resistant to both INH and RMP with the rest sensitive to either INH or RMP. The spoligotyping method showed that 78.3 % samples resembled Family 33 strains and the rest (21.7 %) resembled a spoligotyping signature known to be that of M.africanum. Both these strains belong to the Ancestral lineage with Indo-Oceanic and West Africa 2 lineage. The outcomes of our study showed that molecular methods for detection of MTC can be applied directly on milk samples without the need for culturing.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T18:33:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Arlei Bieger.pdf: 1476410 bytes, checksum: 72973e97e0684bb283623f523033127a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-08-31 / This paper addresses the issue of the productive chain of dairy cattle in the city of Toledo - Pr, in the cutout that covers the production stage, trying to analyze the characteristics of productive units of milk. We also use as reference the basic framework that covers the agribusiness concept and agro-industrial production chains. From this theory we identify the chain of production of milk and then the general characteristics of dairy cattle in Brazil and in Paraná, directing the focus to the work environment, the cow milk production in municipal sphere. After making the survey, the study identifies particular issues in a sample of dairy farmers participating in a program of the Department of Agriculture and Supply of Toledo (Secretaria de Agropecuária e Abastecimento do Município de Toledo). In the research, issues pertaining to development of the activity in establishments with milk production involved in condominiums of artificial insemination program are covered. For data collection, questionnaires were applied in 85 interviews with producers, seeking to identify characteristics of the main factors involved in milk production. The results from the survey were analyzed according to the volume of production of raw materials, and these producers were stratified into three groups by ranges of production, namely, up to 50 liters / day (small), between 51 and 250 liters / day (medium-sized) and above 250 liters / day (large). Following this segmentation, we identified the following three groups: 15.29% of small producers; 61.18% of medium-sized producers, and 23.53% of large producers. Based on these classes, the analysis covering a range of items was started: the properties and structure, the labor employed; issues applied to the herd, the milking and milk storage, economic indicators, the production support; management activity; marketing of milk; dissemination of Instruction 51; satisfaction and intentions of the producer. It was identified that the performance of large producers is better than the others , and although these properties require more investment and attention, it is the group that gets the best results. The intermediate class is more representative in the segment, and these producers invest significantly, but do not achieve results in the same proportion. Small farmers are the least privileged regarding resources and information, they do not consider themselves as managers of the activity and bear the burden of this deficiency. We conclude that the volume of milk produced is the major factor that guides the efforts of the producers, generating diversified forms of management among their respective properties. Such reality provides diverse results, due to this plurality, manager of the raw material producer segment on the milk productive chain of the city of Toledo PR. / Este trabalho aborda o tema da cadeia produtiva da bovinocultura de leite no município de Toledo - PR, no recorte que abrange o elo produtor, buscando analisar as características das unidades produtivas de leite. Para tanto, utiliza-se como base referencial o arcabouço que abrange o conceito de agronegócio e cadeias agroindustriais de produção. A partir dessa teoria parte-se para a identificação da cadeia produtiva do leite e, posteriormente, para a caracterização geral da bovinocultura leiteira no Brasil e no Paraná, direcionando o foco para o ambiente do trabalho, a produção de leite de vaca no âmbito municipal. Ao proceder à pesquisa, o estudo identifica questões particulares de uma amostra de produtores de leite, participantes de um programa da Secretaria de Agropecuária e Abastecimento do Município de Toledo. Na pesquisa são abarcadas questões relativas ao desenvolvimento da atividade nos estabelecimentos com produção de leite de vaca, envolvidos nos condomínios de inseminação artificial do programa. Para o levantamento dos dados, foram aplicados questionários em entrevistas com 85 produtores, buscando identificar características dos principais fatores envolvidos na produção de leite. Os resultados obtidos a partir da pesquisa foram analisados de acordo com o volume de produção de matéria-prima, sendo esses produtores estratificados em três grupos, divididos por faixas de produção, a saber: até 50 litros/dia (pequenos), entre 51 e 250 litros/dia (médios) e acima de 250 litros/dia (grandes). Seguindo essa segmentação, identificou-se a seguinte composição dos grupos: 15,29% de pequenos produtores; 61,18% de médios produtores; e 23,53% de grandes produtores. Com base nesses estratos, deu-se sequência às análises, abrangendo uma série de itens: as propriedades e sua estrutura; a mão de obra empregada; questões aplicadas ao rebanho, à ordenha e à armazenagem do leite; indicadores econômicos; o apoio à produção; gestão na atividade; comercialização do leite; difusão da Instrução Normativa 51; satisfação e pretensões do produtor. Identificou-se que o desempenho dos grandes produtores é melhor do que o dos demais e, apesar de essas propriedades necessitarem de maiores investimentos e atenção, é o grupo que obtém os melhores resultados. O estrato intermediário é mais representativo no segmento, sendo que esses produtores investem significativamente, porém não alcançam resultados na mesma proporção. Os pequenos produtores são os menos privilegiados em recursos e informações, não se consideram gestores da atividade e arcam com o ônus desta deficiência. Conclui-se que, o volume de leite produzido é o fator mor que rege o empenho dos produtores, gerando formas diversificadas de administração dentre suas respectivas propriedades. Tal realidade proporciona resultados diversos, em razão desta pluralidade gestora do segmento produtor de matéria-prima, na cadeia produtiva do leite no município de Toledo - PR.

MSCAGR (Animal Science) / Department of Animal Science / Milkability, or ease of milking, is the rate at which milk can be completely drawn from a cow’s udder. It is an important functional trait with regard to milking costs as well as udder health. Milkability traits have not been included in the breeding objectives of South African dairy cattle and their genetic parameters in the population have not been estimated. The primary objective of the study was to estimate genetic parameters for milkability traits in South African Holstein cattle. Data consisted of production and milkability records of 1 532 Holstein cows, from 6 herds, participating in the South African National Dairy Animal Recording and Improvement Scheme during the period 2015 to 2016 . Measures of milkability were average milk flow (AMF), maximum milk flow (MMF) and milking time (MT). Genetic parameters were estimated by a multi-trait sire model using the Restricted Maximum Likelihood (REML) procedure. Means for AMF, MMF and MT were 1.99 kg/min, 3.02 kg/min and 5.50 min, respectively. Non-genetic factors affecting variation in milkability traits were herd-year-season of calving, parity and milk yield. Heritability estimates for AMF, MMF, and MT were 0.23±0.09, h2 = 0.41±0.12 and h2 = 0.36±0.11, respectively. Genetic correlations between the three milkability traits were medium to high, ranging from -0.35±0.23 between AMF and MT to 0.79±0.09 between AMF and MMF. Correlations were positive between AMF and MMF and negative between MT and the other two traits. There was an increase in the mean EBV for AMF of 0.002 kg/min (0.0001 kg/min per year) during the period 2002 to 2014. Maximum milk flow also showed an increasing genetic trend of 0.04 kg/min (0.0003 kg/min per year) over the same period. The genetic trend for MT was undesirable, as it increased by 0.0003 kg/min. There is scope for improving milkability through selection, in South African Holstein cattle, as indicated by the moderate to high heritability estimates. The favourable genetic correlations among milkability traits imply that selection on one trait will result in a correlated improvement in the others. Results of the current study provide a basis for including milkability traits in the breeding objective for South African Holstein cattle.

Thesis (M. Tech.) -- Central University of Technology, Free State, 2008 / Local government (LG) is under increasing pressure from the milk industry and consumers regarding their ability and willingness to carry out their mandate with regard to the quality control of milk, especially in the informal sector. The government and the milk industry currently have programmes underway to stimulate economic activities in the informal sector, targeting emerging cattle farmers for the production of milk as part of government’s Accelerated Shared Growth Initiative of South Africa (ASGISA). These initiatives further increase the number of informal milk producers and distributors, which holds a further challenge to regulatory authorities. At the same time, the quality of milk from the informal milk-producing sector poses a serious public health concern. Most of the milk produced and sold by the informal sector is raw (unpasteurised), which does not meet the minimum statutory requirements, and the milking practices applied by the informal sector also do not comply with best practice compliance standards. Local authorities (LAs) are statutorily responsible for registering milking parlours and controlling milk hygiene quality from production stage to purchase stage in order to ensure safe and wholesome dairy products to the consumer. Therefore, LG should play an increasingly important role in ensuring that safe and wholesome milk is produced and distributed to the consumers. All metropolitan municipalities (metros) and district municipalities (DMs) should be authorised by the Ministry of Health to enforce the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act 54 of 1972) through their authorised officials – mainly environmental health practitioners (EHPs). Secondly, LG should have specific programmes, systems and resources to register, monitor, evaluate and control milk production and distribution outlets for continued compliance