NETWORK STRUCTURE FOR THE MOBILITY OF BOVINES PRODUCED IN THE STATE OF CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO, 2010–2019

Abstract

The Social Network Analysis (SNA) is a tool for studying the structure and importance of livestock markets and their elements. The aim of the investigation was to analyze the network structure for the mobility of bovines produced in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, between the 2010–2019 period. The Social Network Analysis methodology was used, with centrality measures at origin and destination centers taken into account. In the 2010–2019 period, the structure of bovine livestock mobility was determined by 67 centers of origin (producers) and 32 destination centers (consumers). Producers mobilized 10 012 227 heads with the intentions of exporting calves for fattening (39.2 %), pasturing (26.6 %), fattening (13.9 %), slaughtering (13.5 %) and auctioning, breeding stock, and events (6.7 %). These seven products, which comprised three destination markets: export, national, and local, determined the structure and mobility of bovine livestock. The main center of origin was the municipal area of Chihuahua, whereas the main destinations were the USA and the municipal area of Chihuahua, which are therefore considered the main elements of the network and key nodes of the dynamism of bovine livestock in the state. It was also possible to confirm that the export of calves for fattening was the main purpose of cattle mobility for the state of Chihuahua.