Socioeconomic and technical assistance factors related to total bacteria count and somatic cell count of milk from bulk tanks in southern Minas Gerais State, Brazil/Fatores socioeconomicos e de assistencia tecnica relacionados a contagem bacteriana total e celulas somaticas do leite de tanques no sul do estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil

• Published in: Ciência rural p. 1241
• Main Authors: Paixao, Marcel Gomes, de Souza, Guilherme Nunes, Lopes, Marcos Aurelio, da Costa, Geraldo Marcio, de Abreu, Luiz Ronaldo, Pinto, Sandra Maria
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Universidade Federal de Santa Maria 01.07.2015
• Subjects: Brasil
• ISSN: 0103-8478; 1678-4596
• DOI: 10.1590/0103-8478cr20140895

The purpose of this survey was to evaluate the socioeconomic and technical assistance profiles of dairy farmers from six districts in the south of Minas Gerais state, Brazil, and to identify the possible risk factors associated with total milk bacteria count (TBC) above 43,000 CFU [mL.sup.-1] and bulk milk somatic cell count (BMSCC) above 595,000 cells [mL.sup.-1]. Most of the producers were between 41 and 60years of age (48.9%), 74.2°%o did not reach high school, and 72.3% of the respondents were satisfied with their profession, although 63% would not recommend dairy farming to their children. Only 34.7% used periodic technical assistance, but 59.1% consulted it in cases of doubt. The risk factors found in the final multivariable regression models were: TBC (Did not consult technical assistance in case of doubt, OR 3.97, P=0.030; Retirement, OR 9.32, P=0.041) and BMSCC (Producer does not reside on farm, OR 4.06, P=0.046; Presence of technical assistance OR 3.29, P=0.041). It can be concluded that the search for emergency technical assistance, as reported by farmers, was effective against the TBC problems; however, it was ineffective for controlling mastitis in the herd and reducing BMSCC levels. The 10 step mastitis control program from the National Mastitis Council needs to be included on the surveyed farms, especially the permanent advisory technical assistance from veterinarians, aiming towards the establishment of goals for udder health status, reviews and records. Key words: cultural level, livestock, risk factors, milk quality O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar o perfil socioeconomico e de assistencia tecnica de produtores de leite provenientes de seis cidades no sul do estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil, e identificar os possiveis fatores de risco associados com a contagem bacteriana total (CBT) do leite acima de 43.000 UFC [mL.sup.-1] e contagem de celulas somaticas do leite do tanque (CCST) acima 595.000 celulas [mL.sup.-1]. A maioria dos produtores possuia entre 41 e 60 anos de idade (48,9%o), 74,2% nao alcancaram o ensino medio e, 72,3% dos entrevistados estavam satisfeitos com a sua profissao, embora 63% nao recomendaria a pecuaria leiteira para os seus filhos. Apenas 34,7% utilizaram assistencia tecnica periodicamente, mas 59,1% a consultava em caso de duvidas. Os fatores de risco encontrados nos modelos finais de regressao multivariada foram: CBT (Nao consulta a assistencia tecnica em caso de duvidas, OR 3,97 e P=0,030; Aposentadoria, OR 9,32 e P=0,041) e CCST (Produtor nao reside na fazenda, OR 4,06 e P=0,046; Presenca de assistencia tecnica OR 3,29 e P=0,041). Pode-se concluir que a busca por assistencia tecnica de forma emergencial, conforme relatado pelos agricultores, foi eficaz contra os problemas de CBT; no entanto, ineficaz para o controle de mastite no rebanho e na reducao dos niveis de CCST O programa de controle de mastite de 10 pontos do National Mastitis Council precisa ser incluido nas fazendas pesquisadas, especialmente em relacao a assessoria tecnica permanente por veterinarios, visando o estabelecimento de metas para o status de saude do ubere, revisoes e registros. Palavras-chave: nivel cultural, pecuaria, fatores de risco, qualidade do leite.