The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of application of the good milking practices on economic aspects as well as on microbiological and sanitary characteristics of raw milk and bovine mammary gland of animals from Sidrolandia/MS farms. A questionnaire was applied to verify the utilization of good milking practices and milk samples of each property were collected from the expansion tanks to evaluate total bacteria and somatic cell counts as well as milk composition and frauds presence, before and after training the farms employees in good milking practices. The farms that adopted the measures of milking hygiene reduced the bacteria and somatic cell counts, what caused increase on milk quality, better mastitis control and greater bonus payment by the industry to the producers. Thus, incorporation of good milking practices promoted positive impacts on socio-economic aspects and milk quality.

The Triângulo Mineiro region from Minas Gerais state, is an important meat-exporting region of Brazil and data about Toxoplasma gondii infection in pigs raised and slaughtered in this area are scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of T. gondii in swine and establish the risk factors associated with the infection. Samples were collected from 600 pigs raised under intensive system in farms located at three different counties (Carmo do Paranaíba, Patrocínio and Perdizes). The samples were submitted to indirect hemagglutination antibody test with dilution of 1:32 and to indirect immunofluorescence antibody test with a cutoff of 1:64. The occurrence of positive pig was 3.3% (n=20) and 51.8% (n=311) respectively. A significant difference was observed between toxoplasmatic infection and factors such as lineage, animal origin, size of the farm, collective raising with others species, presence of rodents and type of water offered (p≤0.05). There was no difference between gender and the farm goals. The results demonstrated an occurrence of anti-T. gondii antibodies higher than expected for intensive pig raising system on the studied area, which could indicate a possible sanitary management problem on the studied proprieties. Improvements on the raising techniques are necessary to reduce T. gondii infection sources.