Cost of the implantation and utilization of two methods of identification of dairy cattleThis study aimed to evaluate the cost of the implantation of two methods of cattle identification, namely conventional earring and electronic ear tag, in addition to discussing both the advantages and limitations of each of them. All the operational expenses concerning to the identification were recorded and, for each method, the times of holding of the animal, the implantation of the identifier, the earring reading, typing and data transfer were surveyed. The cost of the identification by using the electronic tag was the highest, mainly the purchase of the equipment and identification device. Nevertheless, there was increased reliability of the recorded information, since the conventional earring in spite of having lower cost, induced errors in data transcription. Therefore, it is up to the farmers to decide which method should be suitable for their production system, taking into account not only financial issues but also the limitations and benefits of each method. Custo da implantação e utilização de dois métodos de identificação de bovinos leiteirosNeste estudo, objetivou-se avaliar o custo da implantação e utilização de dois métodos de identificação de bovinos, o do brinco auricular convencional e o da arruela auricular eletrônica, além de discutir as vantagens e limitações de cada um. Foram anotadas todas as despesas operacionais referentes à identificação e, dentro de cada método, foram mensurados os tempos de contenção do animal, de implantação do identificador, de leitura do brinco, de digitação e de transferência de dados. O custo da identificação da arruela auricular eletrônica foi mais elevado, principalmente em função da aquisição dos equipamentos e dispositivos de identificação. Entretanto, verificou-se maior confiabilidade das informações registradas, já que o brinco auricular convencional, apesar do menor custo, apresentou erros na transcrição dos dados. Assim, cabe a cada produtor e, ou, técnico definir qual deve ser o método de identificação adequado ao seu sistema de produção, considerando não apenas os aspectos financeiros, mas também as limitações e benefícios de cada um.Palavras-chave: automação, bovinocultura, identificação eletrônica.

This study proposes to examine the economic viability of implementing the necessary infrastructure for the recycling of bedding sand from a free-stall facility in a milk production system in southern Minas Gerais, Brazil. In specific terms, the total production cost (TC), total operating cost (TOC) and effective operating cost (EOC) of a cubic meter of recycled sand were estimated in order to estimate the total sand consumption for the free-stall system and per bed year-1 as well as the equilibrium point of the amount of recycled sand, in cubic meters. The experiment was carried out on a farm located in the south of Minas Gerais from January 2016 to December 2017. Three scenarios were analyzed by the tree-point estimation method (MOP - most likely, optimistic, and pessimistic). Utilization of 85%, 95% and 75% of the recycled sand was considered for scenarios 1, 2 and 3, respectively. In all of them, the value charged per cubic meter of sand by a supplier close to the farm was considered. Monte Carlo simulation was also carried out with hurdle rates (HR) of up to 90%. Under the studied conditions, sand recycling showed to be economically viable in all scenarios, with positive net present values (NPV), internal rates of return above the HR, simple and discounted payback below the 10-year horizon, and satisfactory cost benefit-1 ratios (greater than 1). The EOC of one cubic meter of recycled sand was estimated at R$5.04, R$4.51 and R$5.72 for scenarios 1, 2 and 3, respectively, whereas the average TC, considering all scenarios, was R$6.84 (+0.81), which is less than the acquisition price of R$28.57 at the sand extraction site. The TC was R$37,219.51 and R$34,637.74 for the scenarios with HR of 8.50 and 6.99%, respectively, whereas TOC was R$22,572.08 in all analyzed scenarios. The estimated total annual sand consumption by the free-stall system was 526.44 m³, with an estimated average of 1.23 m³ (+0.28) bed-1 year-1. All Monte Carlo simulation models showed positive NPV as well as HR of up to 90%, which reflect a high probability of positive NPV.

RESUMOA exigência da rastreabilidade da carne por parte desse bloco econômico trouxe grande inquietação aos países exportadores e em especial ao Brasil, em virtude do tamanho do rebanho, das condições de criação do gado, da extensão do território brasileiro e da falta de utilização da tecnologia por parte da grande maioria de produtores ainda não acostumada com o uso da informática ou da gerência e controles integrados ao dia a dia de suas atividades. Diante disso, o governo brasileiro criou, em 2002, o Sistema Brasileiro de Identificação e

Economic analysis of the finishing of beef cattle in feedlots in the state of Minas Gerais: a case studyThe objective of this study was to evaluate the profitability of the beef cattle finishing in feedlot. Particularly, it was also intended to identify the components of the total and effective operational cost of greater impact on the production of meat and estimate the breakeven point. Data collection was carried out from January to December of 2009 in two beef cattle production systems, located in Sete Lagoas -MG (feedlot 1) and Carmo de Minas -MG (feedlot 2). The electronic data processing as well as the profitability analysis were conducted using the Cu$to Bovino Corte ® software, considering the gross margin, the net margin and the result (either profit or loss) as economic efficiency indicators. Feedlot 1 showed positive net and gross margins, which points out that it can survive in the short and medium term; Objetivou-se, com este trabalho, estudar a rentabilidade da terminação de bovinos de corte em confinamento. Especificamente, pretendeu-se, ainda, identificar os componentes dos custos total e operacional efetivo, que foram mais relevantes no custo da arroba de carne produzida e estimar o ponto de equilíbrio. A coleta de dados foi de janeiro a dezembro de 2009, em dois sistemas de produção de bovinos de corte, localizados em Sete Lagoas -MG (confinamento 1) e Carmo de Minas -MG (confinamento 2). O processamento eletrônico dos dados e a análise de rentabilidade foram realizados, utilizando-se o software Cu$to Bovino Corte ® , considerando-se a margem bruta, a margem líquida e o resultado (lucro ou prejuízo) como indicadores de eficiência econômica. O confinamento 1 não apresentou viabilidade econômica, mas obteve margens líquida e bruta positivas, o que indica que a atividade pode sobreviver no curto e médio prazos; o confinamento 2, por apresentar margens bruta e líquida e resultado positivos, demonstra que a atividade tem possibilidade de manter-se no longo prazo e com possibilidade de expansão. Os itens que apresentaram maiores representatividades sobre o custo total da atividade foram, em ordem decrescente, para o confinamento 1: aquisição de animais, alimentação, mão de obra e depreciação; e, para o confinamento 2: aquisição de animais, alimentação, despesas diversas (aluguel de máquinas, principalmente) e depreciação. Em relação ao custo operacional efetivo, foram, em ordem decrescente, aquisição de animais, alimentação, mão de obra e energia; aquisição de animais, alimentação, despesas diversas (aluguel de máquinas, principalmente) e mão de obra, para os confinamentos 1 e 2, respectivamente.Palavras-chave: custo de produção, lucratividade, pecuária de corte.

We aimed to evaluate the technical efficiency and economic viability of the implementation and use of four cattle identification methods allowed by the Brazilian traceability system. The study was conducted in a beef cattle production system located in the State of Mato Grosso, from January to June 2012. Four identification methods (treatments) were compared: T1: ear tag in one ear and ear button in the other ear (eabu); T2: ear tag and iron brand on the right leg (eaib); T3: ear tag in one ear and tattoo on the other ear (eata); and T4: ear tag in one ear and electronic ear tag (eael) on the other. Each treatment was applied to 60 Nelore animals, totaling 240 animals, divided equally into three life stages (calves, young cattle, adult cattle). The study had two phases: implementation (phase 1) and reading and transfer of identification numbers to an electronic database (phase 2). All operating expenses related to the two phases of the study were determined. The database was constructed, and the statistical analyses were performed using SPSS ® 17.0 software. Regarding the time spent on implementation (phase 1), conventional ear tags and electronic ear tags produced similar results, which were lower than those of hot iron and tattoo methods, which differed from each other. Regarding the time required for reading the numbers on animals and their transcription into a database (phase 2), electronic ear-tagging was the fastest method, followed by conventional ear tag, hot iron and tattoo. Among the methods analyzed, the electronic ear tag had the highest technical efficiency because it required less time to implement identifiers and to complete the process of reading and transcription to an electronic database and because it did not exhibit any errors. However, the cost of using the electronic ear-tagging method was higher primarily due to the cost of the device. Key words: Automation. Cattle farming. Electronic identification. SISBOV. ResumoObjetivou-se avaliar a eficiência técnica e a viabilidade econômica da implantação e utilização de quatro métodos de identificação de bovinos, permitidos pelo sistema de rastreabilidade brasileiro. A pesquisa foi realizada em um sistema de produção de gado de corte, localizado no Estado de Mato Grosso, de janeiro a junho de 2012. Foram comparados quatro métodos de identificação (tratamentos): T 1: brinco auricular em uma orelha e botton auricular na outra (brbo); T 2: brinco auricular e marca a fogo na perna direita (brmf); T 3: brinco auricular em uma orelha e tatuagem na outra (brta); T 4: brinco auricular em uma orelha e brinco eletrônico (arruela eletrônica auricular) (brde) na outra. Cada tratamento foi aplicado em 60 animais da raça Nelore, totalizando 240 animais, igualmente divididos em três categorias animais (bezerros, novilhos e vacas adultas). A pesquisa teve duas fases: implantação (fase 1) e leitura dos números de identificação e sua transferência para um banco de dados eletrônico (fase 2). Foram levantadas todas as despesas operacionais referentes às duas f...

RESUMOO objetivo desta pesquisa foi realizar o levantamento das principais dificuldades encontradas pelos técnicos de defesa sanitária animal na implantação da rastreabilidade da cadeia produtiva de bovinos de corte, visando elaborar indicadores, sugerir propostas para reduzir a incidência de tais dificuldades e contribuir na formulação de políticas nacionais. Foi elaborado um questionário qualitativo semiestruturado contendo 39 questões de múltipla escolha, abertas e mistas encaminhados a 125 veterinários do curso de pós-graduação Latu sensu em Defesa Sanitária Animal da Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA), Lavras, MG. Os dados obtidos foram tabulados utilizando-se o programa EpiData ® 3.1, com controle automático de amplitude e consistência de dados, e posteriormente analisados por meio de estatísticas descritivas e indutivas, utilizando-se o programa estatístico PASW (Predictive Analytics SoftWare) -versão 18.0. As principais dificuldades encontradas pelos técnicos relacionaram-se diretamente com as mudanças frequentes na legislação (97,6%), a falta de compreensão das normas (86,9%) e de divulgação da rastreabilidade (62,8%). Entre as vantagens da identificação e rastreabilidade animal mencionadas pelos técnicos, incluem o maior conhecimento da quantidade do rebanho (97,5%), a abertura e manutenção dos atuais mercados consumidores (95,0%) e o controle e fiscalização do trânsito de animais (93,3%). A rastreabilidade, apesar de ser uma exigência, sobretudo do mercado consumidor importador, ainda encontra-se em evolução. A qualificação e a conscientização dos pecuaristas em relação à rastreabilidade se fazem necessárias. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Bovinocultura de corte, segurança alimentar, SISBOV. ABSTRACT DIFFICULTIES FOUND BY THE TECHNICIANS OF ANIMAL HEALTH DEFENSE IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF TRACEABILITY IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN OF BEEF CATTLE INBRAZIL. The aim of the present study was to carry out a survey of the main difficulties found by the technicians of animal health defense in the establishment of beef cattle traceability, aiming to design indicators, suggest proposals to solve such difficulties and contribute to the formulation of national policies. A semi-structured qualitative questionnaire was designed containing 39 open and mixed multiple-choice questions sent to 125 veterinaries of the Latu sensu graduate course in Animal Health Defense of the Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA), Lavras, MG, Brazil. The data obtained were tabulated using EpiData ® 3.1 software, with automatic control of data range and consistency, and afterward analyzed by means of descriptive and inductive statistics, using the statistical program PASW (Predictive Analytics SoftWare) version 18.0. The chief difficulties found by the techniques were concerned directly with the frequent changes in the legislation (97.6%), the lack of understanding of the norms (86.9%), and of the spread of traceability (62.8%). Among the advantages of identification and animal traceability mentioned by technicians include increasing knowledge of the quantity o...

Our goal was to assess the economic impact of some environmentally friendly technologies on the production costs and cost-effectiveness of a dairy cattle confinement system, estimating environmental costs and their representativeness in both effective and total operating costs, as well as in the total cost. We assessed the cost-effectiveness of the cost center of milk production and identified the components that most affect final costs, estimating a break-even point (kg milk year-1) as well. The data were collected in a freestall full-confinement system of a dairy cattle farm located in southern Minas Gerais State (Brazil), from January 2016 to December 2017. The cost of milk production was estimated using a method based on the operating and total costs from a cost center involving lactating and dry dairy cows. The cost center of milk production showed to be economically feasible, showing positive gross and net margin results, as well as positive profitability and cost-effectiveness. Total environmental operating cost was on average R$ 0.015 per kg milk, which represented 1.985% of the total operating cost. Effective environmental operating cost was on average R$ 0.0059, which corresponded to 0.7788% of the total operating cost. Finally, total environmental cost was on average R$ 0.0317, representing 3.3280% of the total cost. The most representative items of the effective operating cost were in descending order: animal feed, workforce, animal health, animal production hormone (bovine somatotropin; bST), vehicle maintenance, machines and equipment, maintenance of improvements, electricity, and freestall bedding sand. Average break-even point was 1,104,038.54 kg milk year-1 or 3,024.76 kg milk day-1, while average production was 4,271,383.00 kg milk year-1 and 11,702.42 kg milk day-1.

ABSTRACT:The aims of this study were to evaluate forage production and nutritional quality of the elephant grass, leucaena and pigeon pea beans, grown in monocrop or in intercropping systems in Cerrado / Pantanal ecotones in both, dry and rainy, seasons. Experimental design was completely randomized with five treatments and five repetitions. The treatments were: elephant grass, leucaena and pigeon pea all of these in monocrop; intercropping elephant grass with Leucaena; intercropping elephant grass with pigeon pea. During the rainy season, it was carried out three cuts at intervals of 60 days, and in the dry season a single cut with 180 days. In the rainy season, the biomass produced of the forages elephant grass, leucaena and pigeon pea corresponded respectively to 72, 64, 76% of the annual production. Under intercropping system, fodder behaves similarly, with the average of 72% of annual production. During this period, the nutritional quality of the forages was also higher than the dry season. In the dry period, there was decreased the production of biomass and a reduction in the proportion of leaves in all the forage, regardless of cultivation system. In both seasons (rainy and dry), the forage grown under intercropping system showed higher dry matter production in relation to monocrop system, with most of this production coming of elephant grass. The intercropping elephant grass with the pigeon pea has the highest production of dry matter, while the intercropping elephant grass with Leucaena has better nutritional quality.