A bio-economic modelling project for small-scale milk production systems in South-East Brasil

Abstract This paper reports on the development and use of a bioeconomic model to simulate dairy enterprises in the Zona da Mata of Minas Gerais State in south-east Brasil. In view of the relatively small size of the units, each animal within the herd is accounted for on an individual basis and the main biological events and processes are treated stochastically. Within the limits of given herdranges for genetic potentials, actual rates of performance are estimated from the levels of feeding and other management factors. An energy balance approach is used to assess the contributions of pasture, cut forage and concentrates in the diet. The model has been used to help in identifying priority areas for applied research, to explore various combinations of herd potential and level of feeding, the behaviour of different herd sizes and the potential returns from specific technical innovations.