This study aimed to analyze the economic viability of implementing and using a Canadian biodigester for power generation in a milk production system. Specifically, we intended to estimate the generated power production, the total production cost (TC), the total operating cost (TOC), and the effective operating cost (EOC) of 1 kW of power generated, and estimate the break-even point of the power produced. The research was carried out on a farm located in southern Minas Gerais (Brazil) from January to December 2017. Three scenarios were analyzed through the tree-point estimation (most likely, optimistic, and pessimistic). Scenario 1 considered the use of power for the acclimatization of free-stall barns during 13 hours day-1 plus the use of 50% of the produced biofertilizer. Scenario 2 considered the use of power during 13 hours day-1 for the acclimatization of free-stall barns and milking parlor, which means an increase in power consumption estimated at 10% compared to scenario 1, plus the use of 75% of the produced biofertilizer. Moreover, scenario 3 considered the use of power for the acclimatization of free-stall barns during 6.5 hours day-1 plus 25% of the produced biofertilizer. All scenarios considered the amount charged per kWh by the Companhia Energética de Minas Gerais (CEMIG). Monte Carlo simulations were carried out with minimum acceptable rates of return ranging from zero to 50%. Power generation was economically viable in all scenarios, with positive net present value (NPV), internal rates of return above the minimum acceptable rate of return, simple and discounted payback below the 10-year horizon, and satisfactory benefit-cost ratios. The EOC values of 1 kWh of power were estimated at R$ 0.1990, R$ 0.1791, and R$ 0.3308 for scenarios 1, 2, and 3, respectively, whereas the mean total cost (TC) was R$ 0.5618 (±0.21) considering all scenarios, above the purchase values at CEMIG, which would be R$ 0.50. The TC value was R$ 99,804.42 for scenarios 1 and 2, and R$ 92,424.09 for scenario 3, with a minimum acceptable rate of return of 8.50, while the TOC values were R$ 69,486.62 in scenarios 1 and 2, and R$ 62,229.66 in scenario 3. The amount of power generated in all scenarios was higher than the break-even point. All Monte Carlo simulation models showed positive NPV values, indicating that there is a high probability of being above expectations.

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.

A pecuária leiteira é um importante setor da economia nacional e a sustentabilidade pode contribuir com o desenvolvimento da cadeia produtiva. Contudo, existem poucos estudos que investiguem os efeitos da utilização de tecnologias ambientalmente corretas na gestão de custos da atividade leiteira. Diante disso, objetivou-se analisar a viabilidade econômico-financeira da implantação de uma mini usina de energia fotovoltaica. Especificamente, pretendeu-se, ainda, analisar a rentabilidade de uma propriedade leiteira localizada na região Norte do Estado de Minas Gerais. Utilizou-se as metodologias do custo operacional e do custo total para analisar a rentabilidade. A implantação da mini usina de energia fotovoltaica na propriedade leiteira foi viável financeiramente por apresentar valor presente líquido (VPL) positivo (R$ 711,77) e a taxa interna de retorno (TIR) (2,68%) foi levemente inferior à taxa mínima de atratividade (TMA: 2,75%). O tempo de recuperação do capital investido (payback) (8 anos e 8 meses) foi bastante inferior à vida útil da mini usina. A mini usina de energia fotovoltaica contribuiu com a redução dos custos variáveis e se mostrou viável econômica e financeiramente, contribuindo com o aumento das margens bruta e líquida, bem como do resultado (lucro) da atividade leiteira.

This study aimed to evaluate the production parameters of herds in 100 dairy family farms in the mesoregion of the Acre Valley, in Western Amazon, Brazil. To this end, the farms were divided into two levels of milk production. Data were collected from March to June 2016, using a 248-question semi-structured form and on-site observations. The information was recorded in SPSS® spreadsheets. Dairy farmers were divided into two clusters known as "high production cluster" (1,755.65 L ha-1 yr-1) and "low production cluster" (492.75 L ha-1 yr-1), using the K-means non-hierarchical method. Descriptive statistics was used and, with the aid of the multivariate cluster analysis, cattle ranchers were divided into the two clusters (high and low production). The results showed that the high-production cluster had larger total milk production (L milk cow-1 day-1) and family income within smaller areas and using less workforce. The farmers in this group also used more ear tags for cattle identification and more technologies such as electric fence and artificial insemination at a fixed time. We concluded that family farms should improve their management and receive technical assistance to strengthen their weaknesses in dairy-cow health and reproduction systems. Moreover, milk yield in these dairy farms should be improved to increase profitability of farmers.

his study aimed to analyze the economic feasibility of implementing and using the necessary infrastructure to collect rainwater from the roof of free-stall sheds in a dairy production system in southern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Specifically, the total cost (TC), total operating cost (TOC), and actual operating cost (AOC) of a cubic meter of rainwater and the break-even point in cubic meters were estimated. The research was conducted from January to December 2017 on a property located in the south of Minas Gerais. The following MOP scenarios were analyzed: most likely (Scenario 1), optimistic (scenario 2), and pessimistic (scenario 3). The grant value of the Das Velhas River basin was considered for the most likely scenario, as it has the most similar value with that of the basin surrounding the Furnas reservoir, in which the property is inserted. The grant value for water collection and consumption from the Paraíba River basin was considered in Scenario 2, as this Federal basin has the lowest grant value. The grant value for water collection and consumption from the Piracicaba, Jundiaí, and Capivari river basins was considered in Scenario 3, as these basins have the highest prices for the cubic meter of the collected and consumed water. The implementation of the infrastructure for collecting rainwater from the roof of free-stall sheds under the studied conditions was economically unfeasible for all scenarios, with negative net present values (NPV). Simple and discounted paybacks were longer than the proposed horizon. The internal rate of return (IRR) could not be estimated due to the negative values of the net cash flow. The benefit-cost ratios (BCR) were unsatisfactory (lower than 1). The TC values for rainwater collection from the roof of free-stall sheds were R$ 23,206.59 and R$ 20,489.25 for scenarios with interest rates of 8.50 and 6.99%, respectively, while the TOC value was R$ 7,850.30 for all analyzed scenarios. The unit values for TOC and AOC were R$ 9.9024/m3 and R$ 1.3060/m3 of collected water, respectively. The break-even point could not be estimated in the studied scenarios, as the variable cost per cubic meter of water collected from the roof of the free-stall shed was higher than the grant value charged by the water management committees of the different studied basins.

Análises econômicas são ferramentas que permitem compreender comportamentos futuros dos resultados econômicos. Práticas de previsibilidade dos resultados econômicos necessitam de análises mais reais, sem a interferência do valor da moeda ao longo do tempo, para que seja possível minimizar os riscos de inferências errôneas e distantes das realidades de uma propriedade leiteira. Objetivou-se analisar os resultados econômicos de duas propriedades leiteiras em agricultura familiar de 2011 a 2017, visando uma projeção de 2018 a 2030. Os dados foram coletados diretamente nas propriedades analisadas e atualizados, utilizando como índice indexador, o IGP-M (FGV). Posteriormente, foram realizados cálculos matemáticos para projetar os resultados econômicos anuais de cada uma das propriedades. A Propriedade 2 apresentou resultados satisfatórios, quando analisados os anos de 2011 a 2017, porém não superou os resultados obtidos pela Propriedade 1. A taxa de crescimento da Propriedade 1 indicou comportamento ascendente tanto na série histórica analisada (2011 a 2017) quanto na projeção econômica desenvolvida (2018 a 2030). A projeção econômica indicou que a Propriedade 2 possivelmente não conseguiria obter resultados econômicos que viabilizem a atividade leiteira no longo prazo. O principal fator identificado nas perspectivas favoráveis (Propriedade 1) e desfavoráveis (Propriedade 2) parece estar ligado à escala de produção, sendo o indicador que mais diferiu entre elas.

This study examines the cost of applying ixodicides by using three methods (subcutaneous injection, pour-on and spraying), in different animal categories, to generate information that can help in the choice of the method. The research was carried out between May and September 2017, in the dairy cattle section of the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of the South of Minas Gerais - IFSULDEMINAS - Muzambinho campus, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. All operational expenses related to the application of the ixodicides were recorded. Data were collected by three people: two to time the application of the product and one to record the measured data. Twenty-seven Holstein cattle infested with Rhipicephalus microplus were used, consisting of 12 calves, six heifers and nine adult cows. A simulation was carried out with 50 and 100 animals to check the effect of the production scale on the cost of applying the ixodicides. Application times (animal transport, product dosing and application itself) for the calves, heifers and cow categories were shorter in the injection and pour-on methods, which did not differ from each other in any of the three studied categories. The time spent per animal on the washing of personal protective equipment and washing of sprayer reduced as the number of animals increased, because these procedures are performed only once regardless of the number of animals. The pour-on method was the least expensive. Production scale was found to be an important factor for diluting fixed costs and optimizing labor.

Resumo: A pecuária leiteira familiar é relevante para a agropecuária nacional que, embora contribua com a geração de riqueza e renda, enfrenta baixas eficiência, produtividade e custos de produção elevados. Objetivou-se analisar a eficiência técnica de propriedades leiteiras familiares no Estado de Minas Gerais. Utilizou-se a Análise por Envoltória de Dados (DEA) com modelo BCC orientado a inputs. Quanto maior foi o nível de eficiência das DMU’s, menos recursos foram utilizados em excesso. Foi identificada, ainda, a inexistência de DMU’s que realizaram manutenção preventiva de máquinas, implementos e benfeitorias, justificando o aumento da utilização, principalmente, do insumo MIB (manutenção de máquinas, implementos e benfeitorias). Com esta pesquisa, sugeriu-se o Índice de Comprometimento de Insumos em Leite (ICIL), que evidencia o percentual da produção que está comprometida para comprar um determinado insumo. Quanto maior foi o nível de eficiência das DMU’s, menor foi o ICIL, que passou de 49,36% (eficientes) para 67,47% (com eficiência baixa). Este se mostrou um importante indicador de eficiência de propriedades leiteiras, responsável por evidenciar a quantidade de leite produzido que está comprometida com o pagamento dos insumos utilizados na atividade leiteira. Também se mostrou valioso instrumento a ser utilizado como benchmark em propriedades leiteiras.