Abstract
A limitation of small-scale dairy systems in central Mexico is that traditional feeding strategies are less effective when nutrient availability varies through the year. In the present work, a linear programming (LP) model that maximizes income over feed cost was developed, and used to evaluate two strategies: the traditional one used by the small-scale dairy producers in Michoacan State, based on fresh lucerne, maize grain and maize straw; and an alternative strategy proposed by the LIP model, based on ryegrass hay, maize silage and maize grain. Biological and economic efficiency for both strategies were evaluated. Results obtained with the traditional strategy agree with previously published work. The alternative strategy did not improve upon the performance of the traditional strategy because of low metabolizable protein content of the maize silage considered by the model. However, the Study recommends improvement of forage quality to increase the efficiency of small-scale dairy systems, rather than looking for concentrate supplementation.
Highlights
Mexican small-scale dairy enterprises are the major provider of domestic milk
The objective of this study is to analyse the effectiveness, in terms of animal performance, of the traditional feeding strategy used in small-scale dairy farms, and an alternative strategy based on ryegrass hay, maize silage and maize grain by constructing and applying a linear programming (LP) model
Model solutions meet the nutritional requirements for maintenance, pregnancy and weight change, with remaining nutrients directed towards milk production (e.g., metabolizable energy (ME) for energy and metabolizable protein (MP) for protein)
Summary
Mexican small-scale dairy enterprises are the major provider of domestic milk (around 45%) They enhance rural livelihoods as an important source of income and employment, and give dynamism to regional agricultural markets. The feeding strategy is usually based on fresh cut lucerne, maize grain and maize straw, commercial concentrates, with average milk production of 15 litres per cow per day (Tzintzun et al, 1997; Salas, 1998). A previous study, which used linear programming (LP) and partial budgeting to select an optimal forage production strategy, suggested that forage strategies with higher net incomes were the traditional strategy utilized by the farmers (fresh cut lucerne plus maize grain and straw) and alternative strategies that utilized maize silage, fresh ryegrass and oat hay as forage sources (Val-Arreola et al, 2004b). The study considered the optimum forage combination that needs to be cultivated rather than production performance of the cows
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