TYPOLOGIES AND CHARACTERIZATION OF COW-CALF SYSTEM THE FLOODING PAMPAS

Abstract

Identification and characterization of livestock systems help improve decision-making. In order to identify the typology of cow-calf systems from the Flooding Pampas, survey data of 115 farms were processed using 39 diagnostic variables. Data on farm structure, productivity indicators, forage resources, animal feeding practices, reproduction, animal health practices, and social information were analyzed. A cluster analysis was used to establish farm typologies. Four farm groups (G) were differentiated using cluster analysis: G1: Medium-scale technified farmer; G2: Mediumscale traditional farmer; G3: Large-scale technified local enterprise; and G4: Large-scale technified enterprise. Overall mean stocking rate was 0.72 cow unit ha-1. The technified systems had better productivity indicators than the traditional systems. The main fodder resource was grasslands, accounting for 98% and 67-72% of traditional (98%) and technified (67-72%) systems, respectively. The diet in technified systems also included cultivated pastures (9-19%), and winter (8.2-8.9%) and summer fodder crops (4.7-5.5%). The technified systems mainly differed in terms of scale (P < 0.05) (499 to 1627 ha), legal ownership, farmer’s or farmer’s family’s place of residence (farm distance depending on G), recruitment of temporary staff (75 to > 92%), use and frequency of agricultural consultancy, adoption of different animal management practices, among others. This livestock farm typology may help agricultural institutions design specific technology transfer proposals.