Characterization of sheep and goat farming production systems in the brazilian northeasth

• Autor(a) principal: Jaime Martins de Sousa Neto
• Data de Publicação: 2015
• Tipo de documento: Tese
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Biblioteca Digital de Teses e Dissertações da UFC
• Texto Completo: http://www.teses.ufc.br/tde_busca/arquivo.php?codArquivo=16345
• topic: Pequenos ruminantes; SemiÃrido; TipificaÃÃo; Small ruminants; Semiarid; Classification; ZOOTECNIA

The research aims to characterize this the creation of small ruminants in northeastern Brazil. To this end, initially we aimed to analyze the importance of cluster analysis for characterization of small ruminant production systems, using as a methodological tool to literature. Thus, it was observed that the cluster analysis methodology to characterize the animal production systems, is a technique used worldwide to identify the successful cases, advantageous aspects and obstacles in order to support programs that facilitate the leverage of farming. Subsequently, based on data collected from field research through interviews with 224 farmers in four northeastern states, it used the cluster analysis technique called cluster analysis, aimed specifically identify the homogeneous groups and check leveraging factors and restrictors groups in relation to the general characteristics of the producer and his property, the composition of herds, the socioeconomic aspects of producer and practices related to reproductive management, food and health. Thus, five homogeneous groups have been identified (or clusters) of small ruminant producers in northeastern Brazil. Group I represents 25% of the producers examined, where farms have little area, however, high stocking density, highlighting the presence of cattle more quantitative in that group, characterized as "small farms focused on milk production ". Group II contains 20% of analyzed producers, with the quantitative smaller herds among the groups, lower adoption of management practices and a higher frequency of exclusive breeders of goats and sheep, being defined as "small flocks not technified". Group III is the largest group, comprising 28% of respondents creators, where the goat herd significantly exceeds the sheep flock, being named as "traditional goat farmers". Group IV absorbs 16% of the most experienced producers, with the largest areas of observed properties, showing also a larger quantity of animals and a higher percentage of adoption of management practices, which are defined as "large farms technicality". Group V covers 11% of the youngest producers, the lowest group analyzed where mixed farms of sheep, goats and cattle are most frequent, representing 33% of producers in that group, named "emerging mixed farms." There was generally an increase in all groups regarding the feeding management used by Northeastern producers caused by the promotion of the development of the rural sector policies. They identified some obstacles to be overcome, especially with regard to reproductive health and herd management.