Management tools in family dairy livestock in the southwest Amazon: case study

Abstract

Management tools in dairy farming have shown promising results in recent years, despite being relatively new. The aim of this work is to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of a of a case study property in the municipality of Rio Branco (AC), proposing solutions with management tools in order to minimize zootechnical and economic losses. A diagnostic form was applied to the property and, during brainstorming by a multidisciplinary team, the main weaknesses found were ranked using a GUT matrix, in descending order: no supplementation and mineralization of the animals, no bookkeeping, milking with the calf at the foot, disproportionate composition of the herd and one milking per day. The property's strengths were emphasized. It was suggested that the farmer apply the solutions pointed out on his property, since management tools make it possible to adequately plan, act and correct a property's weak points.