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.
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