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Animals
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Sustainability of Local Dairy Farming Systems
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Sustainability of Local Dairy Farming Systems

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal System and Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2024 | Viewed by 8351

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Paula Toro Mujica

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Guest Editor
Instituto de Ciencias Agroalimentarias, Animales y Ambientales, Universidad de O’Higgins, Ruta 90 km 3, San Fernando 3070000, Chile
Interests: farming systems; dairy; agricultural and food safety economics; animal feed; feed technology; dairy science
Prof. Dr. Antón García-Martínez

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Guest Editor
Animal Science Department, University of Cordoba, Rabanales University Campus, 14071 Cordoba, Spain
Interests: technological innovation; viability and decision making in livestock enterprises; economic analysis and competitiveness of dairy farms (organics and conventional); sustainability of mixed systems; consumer satisfaction (cheese and other derived products)
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Alberto Stanislao Atzori

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Guest Editor
Sezione di Scienze Zootecniche, Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
Interests: ruminant nutrition; nitrogen and methane; dairy farm management and efficiency; system dynamics modeling; feed and environment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Local dairy farms play a fundamental role in the food security of the rural population by supplying food with high nutritional value. However, the challenges faced by livestock production, which include, among others, the high input costs, the emission of greenhouse gases, climate change, the abandonment of livestock by the young population, and competition with large-scale dairy production, endanger the sustainability of local farms. In local dairy farming systems, the links between agriculture, nutrition, society, and the environment condition the system's structure and, thus, its sustainability.

In this context, the purpose of this Special Issue is to deepen our knowledge on the challenges and opportunities faced by local dairy farming systems, as well as strategies to address the problems faced by the sector.

We invite original manuscripts on aspects concerning the characterization and typology of local dairy farming systems, strategies to improve the sustainability of local dairy farming systems, and effects of current production challenges in local dairy farming systems, among others.

Dr. Paula Toro Mujica
Prof. Dr. Antón García-Martínez
Dr. Alberto Stanislao Atzori
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • improving sustainability
  • animal welfare and health
  • rural livelihoods
  • farm resilience
  • GHG mitigation strategies

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 356 KiB  
Article
Analysis of the Genetic Parameters for Dairy Linear Appraisal and Zoometric Traits: A Tool to Enhance the Applicability of Murciano-Granadina Goats Major Areas Evaluation System
by Javier Fernández Álvarez, Francisco Javier Navas González, Jose Manuel León Jurado, Carlos Iglesias Pastrana and Juan Vicente Delgado Bermejo
Animals 2023, 13(6), 1114; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13061114 - 21 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1205
Abstract
Selection for zoometrics defines individuals’ productive longevity, endurance, enhanced productive abilities and consequently, their long-term profitability. When zoometric analysis is aimed at large highly selected populations or in those at different levels of selection, linear appraisal systems (LAS) provide a timely response. This [...] Read more.
Selection for zoometrics defines individuals’ productive longevity, endurance, enhanced productive abilities and consequently, their long-term profitability. When zoometric analysis is aimed at large highly selected populations or in those at different levels of selection, linear appraisal systems (LAS) provide a timely response. This study estimates genetic and phenotypic parameters for zoometric/LAS traits in Murciano-Granadina goats, estimating genetic and phenotypic correlations among all traits, and determining whether major area selection would be appropriate or if adaptability strategies may need to be followed. Heritability estimates for the zoometric/LAS traits were low to high, ranging from 0.09 to 0.43, and the accuracy of estimation has improved after decades, rendering standard errors negligible. Scale inversion of specific traits may need to be performed before major areas selection strategies are implemented. Genetic and phenotypic correlations suggests that negative selection against thicker bones and higher rear insertion heights indirectly results in the optimization of selection practices in the rest of the traits, especially those in the structure, capacity and mammary system major areas. The integration and implementation of the strategies proposed within the Murciano-Granadina breeding program maximizes selection opportunities and the sustainable international competitiveness of the Murciano-Granadina goat in the dairy goat breed panorama. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability of Local Dairy Farming Systems)
17 pages, 6661 KiB  
Article
Livelihood Capitals and Opportunity Cost for Grazing Areas’ Restoration: A Sustainable Intensification Strategy in the Ecuadorian Amazon
by Bolier Torres, Ítalo Espinoza, Alexandra Torres, Robinson Herrera-Feijoo, Marcelo Luna and Antón García
Animals 2023, 13(4), 714; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13040714 - 17 Feb 2023
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 1693
Abstract
Land use change in pastures is considered one of the leading drivers of tropical deforestation in the Ecuadorian Amazon Region (EAR). To halt and reverse this process, it is necessary to understand, among other factors, the local livelihoods, income from grazing area and [...] Read more.
Land use change in pastures is considered one of the leading drivers of tropical deforestation in the Ecuadorian Amazon Region (EAR). To halt and reverse this process, it is necessary to understand, among other factors, the local livelihoods, income from grazing area and the appropriate options to foster sustainable production, incorporating the land-sparing and land-sharing approach. This work was conducted using 167 household surveys along an altitudinal gradient within the buffer and transition zone of the Sumaco Biosphere Reserve (SBR) in the EAR. The results of a comparative analysis of the main capital variables (human, social, natural, financial, and physical), and the opportunity cost of grazing area assessment provides the following key findings: (a) the concepts of land sparing and land sharing should be considered as complementary local strategies, including household livelihoods and the opportunity cost of the grazing area; (b) we should encourage markets with differentiated restoration rights, based on households engaged in low grazing areas’ opportunity costs, and making less impact on capitals’ livelihood a key element of economic and conservation initiatives; and (c) sectoral policy implications, including moderate intensification and technological improvements to strengthen the pastureland-sparing and -sharing approach, are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability of Local Dairy Farming Systems)
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7 pages, 261 KiB  
Article
Effects of Extending Milk Replacer Feeding during the Fattening Period on the Behaviour and Welfare of Lambs: A Preliminary Study
by Ana González-Martínez, Andrés Luis Martínez Marín, Rubén Lucena, Miriam González-Serrano, Miguel Ángel de la Fuente, Pilar Gómez-Cortés and Evangelina Rodero
Animals 2023, 13(1), 85; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13010085 - 26 Dec 2022
Viewed by 1073
Abstract
There is a lack of information on the behavioural and welfare effects of sustaining artificial milk feeding in fattening lambs. Therefore, the present work aimed to study the effects of prolonged artificial milk feeding during fattening with a high concentrate diet on the [...] Read more.
There is a lack of information on the behavioural and welfare effects of sustaining artificial milk feeding in fattening lambs. Therefore, the present work aimed to study the effects of prolonged artificial milk feeding during fattening with a high concentrate diet on the behaviour of lambs. The behaviour of 16 non castrated male lambs of the Manchega sheep breed (eight lambs were in the group that were fed daily a bottle of milk, and the other eight were in the weaned group) was recorded with four fixed cameras just before bottle feeding (~8:30 a.m.) of the unweaned group till four hours later, every day for 7 weeks. The solid diet (pelleted concentrate plus cereal straw) and housing conditions were the same in both groups. Solid feeds were offered ad libitum. There were no differences between groups in time spent eating nor in drinking, playing, scratching and oral activity behaviours (p > 0.05), but resting episodes were longer in weaned lambs (p < 0.05). Weaned lambs presented a higher frequency of self-grooming behaviour (p < 0.05), while the unweaned group performed a higher frequency of interaction behaviour (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the behaviours of lambs that were fed daily a bottle of milk during the fattening period did not substantially differ from the weaned individuals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability of Local Dairy Farming Systems)
17 pages, 3155 KiB  
Article
Does Gender Impact Technology Adoption in Dual-Purpose Cattle in Mexico?
by Oriana Villarroel-Molina, Carmen De-Pablos-Heredero, Cecilio Barba, Jaime Rangel and Anton García
Animals 2022, 12(22), 3194; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12223194 - 18 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1770
Abstract
This paper examines the role of women in the dual-purpose livestock system (DP) in Mexico through their technological adoption patterns and aims to evaluate whether there are significant differences between the technology adoption networks of men and women farmers. The sample was composed [...] Read more.
This paper examines the role of women in the dual-purpose livestock system (DP) in Mexico through their technological adoption patterns and aims to evaluate whether there are significant differences between the technology adoption networks of men and women farmers. The sample was composed of 383 DP small farms with 20 or fewer cows and a high level of vulnerability. Social Network Analysis (SNA) was applied, and the centrality measures were calculated for the technological areas of management, feeding, genetics, reproduction, and animal health. Significant differences were found in reproduction levels between men and women farmers. Therefore, SNA was developed in this technological area where men mainly occupied central positions (brokers) while women were just close to the leaders in the network. The results have shown that farms run by women were smaller and presented higher levels of specialization and milk productivity (20% higher), and women prioritized those technologies linked to female reproductive efficiency. Moreover, women were deeply embedded in men’s networks through numerous ties and were capable of building connections with groups of farmers outside of their own group. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability of Local Dairy Farming Systems)
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19 pages, 1531 KiB  
Article
Characteristics of Buffalo Farming Systems in Turkey Based on a Multivariate Aggregation of Indicators: A Survey Study
by Nursen Ozturk, Omur Kocak, Arzu Peker, Lorenzo Serva, Ferhan Kaygisiz, Pembe Dilara Kecici, Hulya Yalcintan, Halil Ibrahim Kilic and Luisa Magrin
Animals 2022, 12(21), 3056; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12213056 - 07 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1930
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the heterogeneity that exists in water buffalo husbandry systems in Marmara Region, Turkey. A questionnaire containing a total of 60 indicators was submitted to 52 farmers. A Principal Component Analysis was performed to reduce original variables into a [...] Read more.
This study aimed to determine the heterogeneity that exists in water buffalo husbandry systems in Marmara Region, Turkey. A questionnaire containing a total of 60 indicators was submitted to 52 farmers. A Principal Component Analysis was performed to reduce original variables into a simplified and latent structure, which was characterized by six orthogonal components: milk productivity, economic efficiency, roughage management, dual-purpose farming, concentrate supply, and fodder production. An ANOVA model was applied to the six components to investigate the effects of the province, investment levels, grazing type, milk production, and profitability. Differences in milk productivity, roughage management, concentrate supply, and fodder management were significant according to the province and grazing type, which indicated a difference in intensification levels among the cities. Economic efficiency and dual-purpose farming differed significantly for milk production levels as well as milk productivity, and economic efficiency differed for profitability levels. We found a tendency regarding the impact of roughage management on profitability. The results conclude that profitability was associated with improving the milking traits of buffaloes and roughage management of the farms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability of Local Dairy Farming Systems)
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