Objetivou-se, neste estudo, avaliar o impacto econômico da implantação das boas práticas agropecuárias (BPA), relacionadas com a qualidade higiênica sanitária do leite. A pesquisa consistiu na simulação de nove cenários, compostos por três diferentes níveis de BPA para a melhoria da qualidade do leite (baixo, médio e alto), em três diferentes situações (somente aplicação das BPAs; aplicação das BPAs e construção da sala do leite; e aplicação das BPAs, construção da sala do leite e aquisição do tanque de expansão). O rebanho leiteiro hipotético constava de 30 vacas em lactação, com média de dez litros de leite/animal/dia, ordenhadas duas vezes ao dia, em ordenhadeira tipo "balde ao pé". A receita consistiu na média da bonificação/penalização, praticadas por dez laticínios da região sudeste, considerando-se diferentes intervalos de contagem de células somáticas (CCS) e contagem bacteriana total (CBT). A inclusão das BPAs para a melhoria da qualidade do leite, quando praticadas em seu nível máximo, mostrou-se com rápido retorno do capital investido (payback) e ótima taxa interna de retorno (TIR) apenas para aqueles pecuaristas que já possuíam a sala do leite e o tanque de expansão.

Mammary gland quarters have usually been considered to be anatomically and physiologically independent, but some recent research has indicated more interdependence than previously reported. The objective of this study was to compare milk composition (fat, total protein, lactose, solids-not-fat, and chloride) and health status (somatic cell count, differential leukocyte count, and lactate dehydrogenase) of milk samples from unaffected mammary glands of an udder with a single clinically inflamed quarter to results of milk samples from healthy mammary glands of healthy cows. The study was designed as a prospective case control study with case and control cows matched by parity and days in milk. Cases were defined as cows (n = 59) experiencing clinical mastitis in a single mammary gland, and controls (n = 59) were defined as cows that had not experienced clinical mastitis during the current lactation. Quarter milk samples were collected from all mammary glands adjacent to clinically affected quarters of cases and from the same mammary glands of controls. Samples were used to assess concentration of chloride and lactate dehydrogenase, fat, total protein, solids-not-fat, somatic cell count, and differential leukocyte count. Microbiological analysis was also performed on milk samples obtained from clinically affected mammary glands (n = 59). Logistic regression models were used to assess possible associations among quarter somatic cell count (≥150,000 cells/mL) and quarter type (adjacent to case or control). Multivariate linear models were used to compare milk composition and health status between quarter types. A total of 170 quarters were enrolled per group. Milk obtained from adjacent quarters of cases contained a lesser concentration of total protein, lactose, and solids-not-fat, but had a greater concentration of fat and chloride. The somatic cell count, total leukocyte count, and absolute numbers of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and macrophages were all increased in milk obtained from adjacent quarters of case cows compared with milk obtained from quarters of control cows. The relative proportion of neutrophils was increased, whereas the proportion of macrophages was decreased in milk obtained from cases. Approximately 30% of milk samples obtained from adjacent quarters of cases had a somatic cell count ≥150,000 cells/mL compared with 12% of milk samples obtained from quarters of control cows. The position of the mammary gland was not associated with any outcomes. In conclusion, our results support previous research that indicates the immune response to intramammary infection in a single mammary gland quarter alters milk composition and health status throughout the udder.

Mastitis occurs after bacteria successfully traverse the teat orifice and cause an intramammary infection. Anatomical characteristics of the teat are potential risk factors for infection. The objective of this study was to identify potential associations between anatomical characteristics of teats and quarter-level somatic cell count (QSCC) from cows on larger dairy farms in Wisconsin. Teat dimensions (length and diameter at the teat barrel and apex) were measured, and hyperkeratosis scores were assessed for 3,713 quarters of 959 cows on 9 dairy farms. The SCC of quarter milk samples obtained from those teats was determined. Multivariate models were used to determine associations of teat anatomical characteristics with QSCC. Subclinical mastitis was defined as a quarter milk sample with SCC of >150,000 cells/mL. Teat dimensions and milk components varied among farms. In the group of farms enrolled in this study, prevalence of subclinical mastitis in mammary gland quarters ranged from 13.6 to 28.9%. An interaction of teat apex diameter and quarter position (front or rear) was identified for QSCC. For both front and rear quarters, a tendency existed for narrower teat barrels to be associated with increased QSCC. However, for front quarters only, greater diameter of the teat apex was associated with increased QSCC. Teat shape (square or triangular teats) was not associated with QSCC. Milk samples obtained from teats with hyperkeratosis scores of very rough had greater QSCC compared with milk samples obtained from teats with hyperkeratosis scores of normal, smooth ring, or rough ring.

RESUMOThe objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between aspects related to financial management and scale of production with quality traits (total bacteria count -TBC; somatic cell count -SCC) and composition (protein, fat, lactose, total solids, and non-fat solids) of refrigerated bulk tank milk from 100 dairy farmers located in the south of Minas Gerais state, Brazil, by application of a semi-structured questionnaire. Dairy farmers were categorized according to the daily milk production: small (lower than 150 L); medium (151 to 500 L); and large (higher than 501 L). Chi-square tests and identification of possible relative risks between financial aspects and current regulation standards (Normative Instruction No. 62 of December 29, 2011, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply) associated to TBC (higher 300,000 CFU/mL) and SCC (higher than 500,000 cells/mL) means from bulk tank milk among different milk scales productions were performed. Bulk tanks milk composition met the legislation standards and had not differ between scales of production; however, SCC means within all scales, and TBC of small farmers had not attended the legislation standards and differences were identified (P < 0.05). Regarding the financial management aspects, most farmers had no control over incomes, costs, nor calculated milk production cost, with decreased incidences as scale of production increased. Chi-square tests identified that producers that had no concern about milk quality payment bonuses had TBC means 2.95 times more likely (P < 0.05) to be above the current regulations. Small dairy farmers had a greater negligence of the costs management and hygienic milk production as compared to medium and large farmers.Key words: somatic cell count; total bacterial count; management; dairy cattle. Qualidade do leite e gestão financeira em diferentes escalas de produção em propriedades leiteiras localizadas no sul de Minas Gerais, Brasil Marcel GomesObjetivou-se analisar a relação de aspectos referentes a gestão financeira e escala de produção com a qualidade (contagem de bactérias totais -CBT; contagem de células somáticas -CCS) e composição (proteína, gordura, lactose, sólidos totais e sólidos desengordurados) do leite cru refrigerado de tanques referentes a 100 propriedades leiteiras do sul de Minas Gerais, atráves da aplicação de questionários semiestruturados. Agrupou-se os produtores conforme as produções diárias de leite: pequenos (menor que 150 L); médios (151 a 500 L) e grandes (maior que 501 L). Realizou-se testes "qui-quadrados" e de riscos relativos entre as questões financeiras e as adequações à normativa vigente (Instrução normativa nº 62 de 29 de dezembro de 2011, Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento) referentes às 214 Marcel Gomes Paixão et al.

The purpose of this survey was to evaluate the socioeconomic and technical assistance profiles of dairy farmers from six districts in the south of Minas Gerais state, Brazil, and to identify the possible risk factors associated with total milk bacteria count (TBC) above 43,000 CFU mL-1 and bulk milk somatic cell count (BMSCC) above 595,000 cells mL-1. Most of the producers were between 41 and 60 years of age (48.9%), 74.2% did not reach high school, and 72.3% of the respondents were satisfied with their profession, although 63% would not recommend dairy farming to their children. Only 34.7% used periodic technical assistance, but 59.1% consulted it in cases of doubt. The risk factors found in the final multivariable regression models were: TBC (Did not consult technical assistance in case of doubt, OR 3.97, P=0.030; Retirement, OR 9.32, P=0.041) and BMSCC (Producer does not reside on farm, OR 4.06, P=0.046; Presence of technical assistance OR 3.29, P=0.041). It can be concluded that the search for emergency technical assistance, as reported by farmers, was effective against the TBC problems; however, it was ineffective for controlling mastitis in the herd and reducing BMSCC levels. The 10 step mastitis control program from the National Mastitis Council needs to be included on the surveyed farms, especially the permanent advisory technical assistance from veterinarians, aiming towards the establishment of goals for udder health status, reviews and records.

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Objetivou-se analisar alguns aspectos socioeconômicos e comportamentais, local de trabalho e direitos trabalhistas de 37 ordenhadores considerados contratados provenientes de 28 propriedades leiteiras localizadas em seis municípios da região sul de Minas Gerais, por meio da aplicação de formulário semiestruturado durante os horários de ordenha. Verificou-se a relação de frequência entre os aspectos verificados e as médias das análises de contagem bacteriana total (CBT) (superiores a 100.000 UFC/mL) e contagem de células somáticas (CCS) (superiores a 600.000 células/mL) do leite dos tanques. Constatou-se que a maioria das propriedades leiteiras estudadas utilizavam sistema de produção do tipo semi-intensivo, com duas ordenhas diárias, realizadas em ordenhadeiras do tipo balde ao pé e sistema de refrigeração em tanques de expansão; produção superior a 151 litros de leite/dia e no máximo 20 litros de leite/vaca/dia. No total, 89% e 57% das propriedades apresentaram médias inferiores aos limites da legislação para CBT e CCS, respectivamente. As questões relacionadas com a tecnificação das propriedades estudadas (tanto alto, quanto baixo) e, algumas questões referentes às características do local de trabalho, comportamentais e direitos trabalhistas dos ordenhadores contratados e substitutos (“folguistas”), apresentaram uma relação com a qualidade higiênico-sanitária do leite produzido, pois, em geral, nas propriedades em que tais questões não condiziam com o preconizado, as médias de CBT e CCS apresentaram-se com maiores frequências superiores aos limites estabelecidos.

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