Adaptation strategies based on the historical evolution for dairy production systems in temperate areas: A case study approach

Abstract

Dairy production systems are heterogeneous as they are influenced by farm location and structure, markets, environmental conditions, and the producers' preferences and peculiarities. A typology of the existing dairy systems in Chile was developed with the objective of identifying homogenous groups that would allow for the characterization of adaptation strategies to changing environmental, social, technological, political and economic variables. Multivariate analyses were performed on data from official surveys carried out in 2009, 2011, 2013, and 2015. Six groups (I-VI) were identified representing 26.9%, 21.5%, 21.6%, 14.6%, 6.8% and 8.6% of the population surveyed. Group I was the largest, and it included non-specialized commercial dairies. Group II clustered semi-extensive, medium to large dairies that rely mostly on high yielding improved pastures. Group III included small, semi-extensive commercial farms that make a more intense use of pastoral resources, such as sown pastures and improved native grasslands. Groups IV, V, and VI corresponded to specialized dairies, highly market-oriented, that use annual forages to supplement intensively managed and planned pastures, but that differ in size and some management strategies. The observed temporal changes and adaptations over time were closely linked to farm size, intensity in the use of various technologies, the number and the breed of the dairy cows, and the presence of other agricultural activities in the property. The effect of variable prices of milk and system inputs differed by group. Given the social and economic importance of dairies throughout Central and Southern Chile, a number of interventions are proposed, including technical modifications, extension initiatives, and changes in policies.