The identification of animals with more efficiency in feed utilization is one of the alternatives to overcome the challenges as increased production costs, increased consumer awareness regarding food safety, animal welfare and environmental impacts of the agriculture and livestock. As feeding expenses account for the main cost of livestock activity, differences among animals in converting diet to beef and milk are of great relevance. Animals that use feed more efficiently need to consume less to

Status: Completed     Start date: Sat Jul 01 00:00:00 GMT-03:00 2017

Dairy farming is one of the most important economic activities in the agribusiness of the State of Minas Gerais, which is the largest milk producer in Brazil (28% of production). The dairy production chain is one of the most important in the state, employing labor, generating revenues of around R $ 2.4 billion/year and guaranteeing income for a large part of the population. However, most properties have low productivity due to several factors related to the herd, such as health, genetic potentia

Status: Completed     Start date: Tue Apr 01 00:00:00 GMT-03:00 2008

Dairy cattle breeds of European origin stand out for their high productive and reproductive efficiency in temperate climates, but they usually do not present this efficiency in tropical climate, in conditions such as high temperature and humidity, high incidence of endo and ectoparasites and low level of management. On the contrary, Zebu breeds in selection programs to increase milk production are naturally adapted to such conditions, that is, they produce well in less sophisticated managerial p

Status: Completed     Start date: Mon Oct 01 00:00:00 GMT-03:00 2007

The productivity indices of dairy farming in Brazil are low when compared to countries with technologically advanced dairy farming. Productivity can be significantly improved through the use of animals with higher genetic value for milk production and appropriate management techniques. Worldwide, the Holstein breed is predominant for milk production, being also the most used in Brazil, both as a pure breed and in crosses, as a contribution to the development of the Girolando breed. In this proje

Status: Completed     Start date: Sat Sep 01 00:00:00 GMT-03:00 2007

Development programs aimed at increasing production, improve milk quality and assist genetic selection of livestock are strategic initiatives to modernize the dairy chain in Brazil. Farmers, mostly family-scale, need special guidance to access technological information and training programs to increase production and improve productivity of the dairy herd. In addition, action plans and strategies to improve milk quality are essential in order to promote their inclusion in the formal dairy market

Status: Completed     Start date: Fri Mar 01 00:00:00 GMT-03:00 2013

Society has become increasingly aware of the need to preserve the environment and health, demanding quality standards for food and agro-ecosystems. In this context, the rational use of phytosanitary products guarantees the sustainability of food production systems, mitigating, and even eliminating the effects caused by the indiscriminate use of chemical control. Other relevant aspects to be considered are the benefits arising from the crop-livestock integration that mitigate the negative effects

Status: Completed     Start date: Wed Aug 01 00:00:00 GMT-03:00 2007