Farm Management in Organic and Conventional Dairy Production Systems Based on Pasture in Southern Brazil and Its Consequences on Production and Milk Quality.

Pasture-based dairy production is used widely on family dairy farms in Southern Brazil. This study investigates conventional high input (C-HI), conventional low input (C-LI), and organic low input (O-LI) pasture-based systems and their effects on quantity and quality of the milk produced. We conducted technical site visits and interviews monthly over one year on 24 family farms (n = 8 per type). C-HI farms had the greatest total area (28.9 ha), greatest percentage of area with annual pasture (38.7%), largest number of lactating animals (26.2) and greatest milk yield per cow (22.8 kg·day(-1)). O-LI farms had the largest perennial pasture area (52.3%), with the greatest botanical richness during all seasons. Area of perennial pasture was positively correlated with number of species consumed by the animals (R² = 0.74). Milk from O-LI farms had higher levels of fat and total solids only during the winter. Hygienic and microbiological quality of the milk was poor for all farms and need to be improved. C-HI farms had high milk yield related to high input, C-LI had intermediate characteristics and O-LI utilized a year round perennial pasture as a strategy to diminish the use of supplements in animal diets, which is an important aspect in ensuring production sustainability.

Productive and Economic Responses in Grazing Dairy Cows to Grain Supplementation on Family Farms in the South of Brazil.

Pasture-based dairy production has been a major source of income for most family farms in the south of Brazil. Increasing milk prices have spurred an increase in grain supplementation, which has been poorly implemented, resulting in low levels of efficiency. To evaluate the consequences of supplementation on milk production and composition, grazing behavior and economic return, the widely used grain management system (CC-commercial concentrate, containing 21% CP, offered at 1 kg per 3.7 L of milk) was compared with an energy supplement (GC-ground corn, with 9.5% CP, offered at 0.4% of live weight). Ten Holstein cows were paired into two groups, and subjected to the two treatments in a crossover design. The cows remained in the same grazing group, and the grain supplement was offered individually at milking time and consumed completely. Each experimental period lasted 14 days, with 10 days for diet adaptation and four days for data collection; individual milk production and samples were collected to determine levels of fat, protein, lactose, carotenoids, vitamin A and N-urea. Grazing behavior was observed (scans every 5 min) in the first 4 h after the morning milking, and chemical composition of hand plucked samples of forage were measured. The cost of the supplement and profitability per treatment were calculated. Cows supplemented with GC consumed herbage with higher crude protein (CP: 16.23 vs. 14.62%; p < 0.05), had higher biting rate (44.21 vs. 39.54 bites/min; p < 0.03) and grazing time (22.20 vs. 20.55 scans; p < 0.05) than when receiving CC. There were no differences in milk composition between treatments (p > 0.05). However, higher concentrations of ß-carotene and total carotenoids were detected in the milk of cows at 70-164 days of lactation, compared to <70 days of lactation (p < 0.05). Milk production was higher (13.19 vs. 11.59 kg/day; p < 0.05) when cows consumed CC, but resulted in lower profitability compared to GC (US$ 4.39 vs. US$ 4.83/cow per day). Our results show that higher productivity does not necessarily improve profitability. Cows receiving supplement with lower levels of protein were able to adjust their grazing behavior to meet their protein needs and this level of diet modification did not alter milk composition.

Homeopathic remedies in a semi-intensive alternative system of broiler production / Medicamentos homeopáticos em um sistema alternativo de produção de frangos

This experiment had the objective of evaluating the influence of homeopathic remedies on the performance and health of broilers in a semi-intensive alternative system of production. Two groups of 90 Cobb strain broilers were randomly allocated, at 21 days of life, to three treatments: Control, Calcarea carbonica 12cH and Calcarea phosphorica 12cH, in a randomized block design in two stages. The medication was administered in the birds' drinking water with a 5% hydro-alcohol extract solution in 5 drops per bird daily during 28 days, beginning at 22 days of age. Each stage comprised three blocks, totalizing six replications per treatment. Each treatment group consisted of 10 broilers. Birds were weighed at 21 days and weekly thereon, up to slaughter at 49 days. After slaughtering, carcasses, hearts, livers, gizzards and feet were also weighed. Differences among stages in weight gain (Stage 1 = 2,576 +/- 38 g; Stage 2 = 2,825 +/- 38 g; P<0,0004) and in final weight (Stage 1 = 3,470 +/- 38 g, Stage 2 = 3,348 +/- 40 g; P<0.03) were noted. There were no differences between stages or treatments for the variables of carcass, feet and gizzard weights (P>0.40). The liver and heart, however, weighed significantly more in stage 2 (P<0.01), which may be interpreted as an indicator of greater metabolic activity of these organs coincident with greater weight gain within the same period. When compared to the other two treatments, liver weight proved lower (P<0.05) in the Calcarea carbonica treatment group, as expected and in accordance to reports of the materia medica of this medicine. In conclusion, there was no effect of homeopathy applied for the purpose of growth. Lower liver weights of the Calcarea carbonica-treated birds may be associated to a lower susceptibility to stress. This possibility, however, calls for new studies for verification.

Este estudo objetivou avaliar a influência de medicamentos homeopáticos no desempenho e saúde de frangos, em um sistema alternativo semi-intensivo de produção. Dois grupos de 90 frangos Cobb foram randomicamente distribuídos, aos 21 dias de vida, entre 3 diferentes tratamentos: controle, Calcárea carbonica 12cH e Calcarea phosphorica 12 ch, em 2 fases. A medicação foi administrada usando-se uma solução hidroalcoólica (água potável) 5%, numa razão de 5 gotas por animal, diariamente durante 28 dias, começando aos 22 dias de vida. Cada fase incluiu 3 blocos, totalizando 6 replicações por tratamento, cada grupo de tratamento continha 10 animais. Os frangos foram pesados aos 21 dias de vida e depois, semanalmente, até o abate, aos 49 dias. Depois do abate, carcaça, coração, fígado, moela e patas foram pesadas. Foram registradas diferenças de aumento de peso entre as diversas fases (Fase 1= 2.576 ± 38 g; Fase 2 = 2.825 ± 38 g; p < 0,0004) e no peso final (Fase 1 = 3.470 ± 38 g, Fase 2 = 3.348 ± 40 g; p < 0.03). Não houve diferença entre as fases e tratamentos para o peso da carcaça, patas e moela (p>0,4). Por outro lado, coração e fígado apresentaram aumento significativo de peso na fase 2 (p < 0,01), que pode ser interpretado como indicador de maior atividade metabólica nestes órgãos, coincidente com o maior aumento de peso no mesmo período. Quando comparados os 2 tratamentos, o peso do fígado foi menor (p < 0,05) no grupo tratado com Calcarea carbonica, conforme esperado e de acordo com a descrição da matéria médica deste medicamento. Concluímos que o tratamento homeopático não teve efeito quando aplicado com finalidade de crescimento. O menor peso do fígado no tratamento com Calcarea carbonica pode estar associado a menor susceptibilidade ao estresse. Essa possibilidade exige novos estudos e protocolos, específicos.

Homeopathic remedies in a semi-intensive alternative system of broiler production / Medicamentos homeopáticos em um sistema alternativo de produção de frangos

This experiment had the objective of evaluating the influence of homeopathic remedies on the performance and health of broilers in a semi-intensive alternative system of production. Two groups of 90 Cobb strain broilers were randomly allocated, at 21 days of life, to three treatments: Control, Calcarea carbonica 12cH and Calcarea phosphorica 12cH, in a randomized block design in two stages. The medication was administered in the birds¡¦ drinking water with a 5% hydro-alcohol extract solution in 5 drops per bird daily during 28 days, beginning at 22 days of age. Each stage comprised three blocks, totalizing six replications per treatment. Each treatment group consisted of 10 broilers. Birds were weighed at 21 days and weekly thereon, up to slaughter at 49 days. After slaughtering, carcasses, hearts, livers, gizzards and feet were also weighed. Differences among stages in weight gain (Stage 1 = 2,576 ¡Ó 38 g; Stage 2 = 2,825 ¡Ó 38 g; P<0,0004) and in final weight (Stage 1 = 3,470 „b 38 g, Stage 2 = 3,348 „b 40 g; P<0.03) were noted. There were no differences between stages or treatments for the variables of carcass, feet and gizzard weights (P>0.40). The liver and heart, however, weighed significantly more in stage 2 (P<0.01), which may be interpreted as an indicator of greater metabolic activity of these organs coincident with greater weight gain within the same period. When compared to the other two treatments, liver weight proved lower (P<0.05) in the Calcarea carbonica treatment group, as expected and in accordance to reports of the materia medica of this medicine. In conclusion, there was no effect of homeopathy applied for the purpose of growth. Lower liver weights of the Calcarea carbonica-treated birds may be associated to a lower susceptibility to stress. This possibility, however, calls for new studies for verification.(AU)

Este estudo objetivou avaliar a influência de medicamentos homeopáticos no desempenho e saúde de frangos, em um sistema alternativo semi-intensivo de produção. Dois grupos de 90 frangos Cobb foram randomicamente distribuídos, aos 21 dias de vida, entre 3 diferentes tratamentos: controle, Calcárea carbonica 12cH y Calcarea phosphorica 12 ch, em 2 fases. A medicação foi administrada usando-se uma solução hidroalcoólica (água potável) 5%, numa razão de 5 gotas por animal, diariamente durante 28 dias, começando aos 22 dias de vida. Cada fase incluiu 3 blocos, totalizando 6 replicações por tratamento, Cada grupo de tratamento continha 10 animais. Os frangos foram pesados aos 21 dias de vida e depois, semanalmente, até o abate, aos 49 dias. Depois do abate, carcaça, coração, fígado, moela e patas foram pesadas. Foram registradas diferenças de aumento de peso entre as diversas fases (Fase 1= 2.576 ± 38 g; Fase 2 = 2.825 ± 38 g; p < 0,0004) e no peso final (Fase 1 = 3.470 ± 38 g, Fase 2 = 3.348 ± 40 g; p < 0.03). Não houve diferença entre as fases e tratamentos para o peso da carcaça, patas e moela (p>0,4). Por outro lado, coração e fígado apresentaram aumento significativo de peso na fase 2 (p < 0,01), que pode ser interpretado como indicador de maior atividade metabólica nestes órgãos, coincidente com o maior aumento de peso no mesmo período. Quando comparados os 2 tratamentos, o peso do fígado foi menor (p < 0,05) no grupo tratado com Calcarea carbonica, conforme esperado e de acordo com a descrição da matéria médica deste medicamento. Concluímos que o tratamento homeopático não teve efeito quando aplicado com finalidade de crescimento. O menor peso do fígado no tratamento com Calcarea carbonica pode estar associado a menor susceptibilidade ao estresse. Essa possibilidade exige novos estudos e protocolos, específicos.