Socioeconomic and technical assistance factors related to total bacteria count and somatic cell count of milk from bulk tanks in southern Minas Gerais State, Brazil

Abstract

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.

Spatial distribution of Brazilian bovine taurine breeds associated with climatic, physical and socioeconomic variables

“…The production indices of dual-purpose breeds are low and concentrated in family farms that did not receive or receive little technical guidance (Figure 5 and Table 2). This was also shown in a study in the country's Southeast, where most farms did not receive technical guidance (Paixão et al, 2015). A similar result was found by Censo… (2006), where only 22% of the investigated farms received technical guidance.…”

Influence of forage production area, concentrate supply, and workforce on productive results in milk production systems

“…Older farmers tend to have less motivation for investments, improvements, and growth in activity. In the study conducted by Paixão et al (2015), dairy farmers receiving retirement were 9.3 times more likely to have a total bacterial count in milk above 43,000 cfu mL −1 . Due to the process of rural flight and aging in the Brazilian countryside in the last decades (Maia and Bauinain, 2015), it is common to exist no family farm succession nowadays, limiting the prospects of farm evolution in the long-term.…”

Extension team trained to improve milk quality on small dairy farms in Southeastern Brazil

“…Total Bacterial Count reflects the cleaning efficiency of equipment, handling, milking hygiene and milk storage temperature (HAYES et al, 2001). Paixão et al (2015) reported that TBC control is related to the adoption of simple measures through technical assistance, where positive results can be observed immediately after the application of the suggested actions. Vallin et al (2009) studied the effect of adopting good practices on milk quality and observed a 92% decrease in TBC count in refrigerated raw milk samples.…”