Principal component analysis on the perceptions of milk producers about Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus control in Minas Gerais

Abstract

Milk producers in Lavras, Passos and Divinópolis, Minas Gerais, were interviewed with the aim of evaluating their perceptions and attitudes regarding control over Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. Multivariate correlation between the variables was done by means of principal component analysis. The producers' perceptions and attitudes regarding R. (B.) microplus were similar: most of them did not have any basic knowledge of tick biology or control, and they applied acaricide products through backpack spraying, without any defined technical criteria. Some of the results obtained were: I. a negative correlation between schooling level and the frequency of spraying cattle with acaricides; II. a positive correlation between milk production, quality of equipment for acaricide application and technological level of the farm; III. farm properties with greater production and technification tended to keep the intervals between acaricide applications constant over the course of the year. After applying principal component analysis, a positive correlation was observed between schooling level, technological level of the farm and perceptions regarding R. (B.) microplus, but without any correlation with attitudes towards controlling this tick. It was concluded that higher technological level and schooling level improved the producers' perceptions relating to the biology of the tick R. (B.) microplus, but did not achieve effectiveness with regard to using controls more rationally.Keywords: Ixodidiosis, perception, cattle-rearing, Minas Gerais. ResumoProdutores de leite de Lavras, Passos e Divinópolis, MG, foram entrevistados com objetivo de avaliar sua percepção e atitude no controle do Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. A análise da correlação multivariada entre as variáveis foi feita através de componentes principais (ACP). A percepção e atitude sobre o R. (B.) microplus foram semelhantes entre os produtores, sendo que a maioria deles não tem o conhecimento básico sobre a biologia e o controle desse carrapato, aplicando os produtos carrapaticidas por meio de bomba costal, e sem critérios técnicos definidos. Alguns resultados obtidos foram: I. correlação negativa entre escolaridade e frequência de aplicação de carrapaticidas bovinos; II. correlação positiva entre produção de leite, qualidade do equipamento para aplicação carrapaticida e nível tecnológico da fazenda; III. propriedades com maior produção e tecnificação tenderam a manter o intervalo de aplicação carrapaticida constante ao longo do ano. Após aplicação da ACP foi observada correlação positiva entre escolaridade, nível tecnológico da fazenda e percepção sobre o R. (B.) microplus, porém, sem correlação com a atitude no controle deste carrapato. Concluiu-se que o nível tecnológico e a escolaridade melhoram a percepção dos produtores sobre a biologia do carrapato R. (B.) microplus, mas não alcança efetivos na utilização do controle de forma mais racional.

Climate conditions associated with the occurrence of pyrethroid residues in bulk milk tank

“…These facts strengthen our hypothesis that climate conditions influence the detection of pyrethroid residues in bulk milk tank probably as a result of the subjective use of pyrethroids mainly based on observation of infestation levels (Rocha et al, 2012) and the influence of climate conditions on infestation by ectoparasites (Estrada-Peña et al, 2006;Paim et al, 2011). With this in mind, Souza et al, (1988) described that lower infestation levels of Rhipicephaus (Boophilus) microplus, the major ectoparasite in cattle (Raynal et al, 2013), occurred during months (i.e.…”

“…Thus, considering that climate conditions influence infestation by insects and ticks, such as horn flies (Haematobia irritans) and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Souza et al, 1988;Barros, 2001;Estrada-Peña et al, 2006;Paim et al, 2011), and the fact that the use of pyrethroids is mainly based on the subjective observation of infestation levels (Rocha et al, 2012), it was hypothesized that some climate condition parameters were associated with the occurrence of pyrethroid residues in bulk milk tank. For this reason, data on climate influences in pyrethroid residues in raw milk are of great relevance, particularly in tropical climate countries as Brazil, where different conditions of rainfall, relative humidity and temperature are perceived on unequable basis (Picinin et al, 2013).…”

Management and control of parasites on dairy farms in northwestern region of São Paulo state

“…In the study conducted by Rocha et al (2012) most of the interviewees had only reached elementary school level (54%), but this did not show any correlation with the efficiency of tick control. However, Santos et al (2009), in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, observed that illiterate farmers, or the ones only with elementary school level, presented a threefold greater chance of failure in tick control procedures than farmers with higher education level.…”

Milk quality parameters associated with the occurrence of veterinary drug residues in bulk tank milk

“…The months during which the dairy cows experienced increased infestation by insects and ticks, such as horn flies (Haematobia irritans) and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, coincided with the time period that the cows primarily remained on the pasture (Estrada-Peña et al, 2006). Because treatment with pyrethroids is mainly based on the subjective observation of infestation levels, treatment of these animals is typically increased (Da Rocha et al, 2012) in months when cows remained on the pasture. A positive relationship between milk lactose and energy balance has been proposed, suggesting that milk lactose concentrations are affected by energy balance (Schei et al, 2005;Beerda et al, 2007;Ouweltjes et al, 2007).…”