Brazilian Dairy Farms Manage Factors Affecting Milk Quality

Brazil's dairy sector includes production in 98% of the country's municipalities and exceeds 34 billion litres a year, placing Brazil third among the world's milk producers. The routines behind those figures take place largely on small and medium-sized farms, which supply much of the raw material used by the country's dairy processors.

Many of the recent productivity gains on these farms have involved decisions made inside the property. Producers have given greater attention to cattle nutrition, protection from heat and the condition of the herd's hooves. Valdenir, who owns a farm focused on genetic selection, said the process starts at the feed trough. “It starts with good nutrition. A balanced diet and animal welfare all directly influence the quality of the product,” he said.

The ration changes with the season. During dry periods or the interval between pasture cycles, when grass contains fewer nutrients, farmers increase supplements such as oats, bran and orange pulp. The latter is a fibrous by-product of the juice industry that is used as an energy source for ruminants.

Feed is supplied twice a day, in the morning and afternoon, while employees redistribute it periodically so that it remains within reach of the cows. Valdenir described the task as moving the feed closer to the animals as they push it away while searching for food along the feeding area.

Temperature management in sheds is another part of the routine. Heat stress reduces cows' feed intake and is directly associated with lower milk output. Ventilation and thermal comfort have therefore become elements of herd management, alongside nutrition.

Hoof care, known in cattle production as bovine podiatry, addresses the prevention and treatment of injuries. Hoof problems can cause pain and make it harder for an animal to reach water and feed. Reduced access to both can lead to weight loss and lower daily milk extraction. “We take care of the hoof because, when the animal has a hoof problem, it feels pain and does not eat properly,” Valdenir said.

He said the combined effects of nutrition, thermal comfort and preventive health care are reflected in the expansion tank. “When the animal is well, the whole system works better,” he said. The practices are used on farms of different sizes across Brazil.