PRODUCTIVE CHARACTERIZATION OF TECHNIFIED COW-CALF SYSTEMS OF THE NORTH-CENTRAL REGION OF ARGENTINA

Guillermina Gregoretti^1*, Javier Baudracco¹, Carlos Dimundo^{2, 3}, Agustín Alesso¹, Belén Lazzarini¹ y Claudio Machado¹

ABSTRACT

The productive characterization of livestock systems is a key aspect when designing management plans aimed at increasing beef production in a region. The objective of this work was to characterize technified cow-calf systems of the north region of the Santa Fe province, Argentina, and to analyze the correlation between the variables identified and the effect on beef production. Sixteen variables related to structure, technology, and productive and reproductive efficiency were assessed in 27 farms. Descriptive statistics and multivariate analyzes were performed at a significance level of p ≤ 0.05. Stocking rate (cows ha-1), weaning rate (%) and beef production (kg LW ha-1 year-1) of the surveyed farms were 15, 38 and 84% higher, respectively, compared with typical systems of the region. The higher area with cultivated species was positively correlated with pregnancy rate (p = 0.0269) and weaning rate (p = 0.0051). Supplementation level of cows (p = 0.0259) was positively associated with stocking rate (cows ha-1). Furthermore, stocking rate (cows ha-1) correlated positively with higher calf production (kg LW ha-1 year-1; p < 0.0001) and total beef production (kg LW ha-1 year1 ; p < 0.0001). Technified farms showed a better productive performance compared to that of typical cow-calf systems in the region studied.

Key words: beef production, supplementation, stocking rate, systems.

¹ IciAgro Litoral, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Kreder 2805, Esperanza, CP: S3080HOF, Argentina^.

² Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Kreder 2805, Esperanza, CP: S3080HOF, Argentina.

 ³ CREA Región Norte de Santa Fe, Asociación Argentina de Consorcios Regionales de Experimentación Agrícola (AACREA), Sarmiento 1236, Buenos Aires, CP: C1041AAZ, Argentina^.

⁴ CIVETAN (Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, CIC, CONICET), Paraje Arroyo Seco s/n, Campus Universitario, Tandil, CP: B7000GHG, Argentina^.

 ^*Autor para correspondencia: guillerminagregoretti.gg@gmail.com