Can dairy goat farms in mountain areas reach a satisfactory level of profitability without intensification? A case study in Andalusia (Spain)

Abstract

ABSTRACTWell-performing grazing systems play an important role in improving and maintaining environmental and social conditions of mountain areas. The aim of this paper is to analyze the relationship between the economic and social viability of pastoral goat farming systems and their feeding management schemes in order to improve their sustainability. Sixteen goat grazing farms in southern Spain were monitored monthly from January to December 2011, including 42 quantitative and 9 social variables. A multivariate two-step analysis was followed (principal component and cluster analysis) and three clusters were identified. Cluster 1 grouped small herd-size and low-productivity farms with medium dependence on external inputs for animal feeding; Cluster 2 grouped medium herd-size and high-medium productivity farms which depended most on external inputs for animal feeding; Cluster 3 grouped large herd-size, high-medium productivity farms with low dependence on external inputs. There was no difference between Clusters 2 and 3 regarding milk productivity and there were few differences in terms of labor, economic, or technical indicators. According to these results, it is possible to obtain a satisfactory level of productivity and profitability, minimizing the amount of feed purchased. In general, farmers’ job satisfaction was high and no differences were observed between groups.