Vinícius do Nascimento Lampert

Dynamics of Cattle Production in Brazil

Movement of livestock production within a country or region has implications for genetics, adaptation, well-being, nutrition, and production logistics, particularly in continental-sized countries, such as Brazil. Cattle production in Brazil from 1977 to 2011 was spatialized, and the annual midpoint of production was calculated. Changes in the relative production and acceleration of production were calculated and spatialized using ARCGIS®. Cluster and canonical discriminant analyses were performed to further highlight differences between regions in terms of cattle production. The mean production point has moved from the Center of Minas Gerais State (in the southeast region) to the North of Goiás State (in the Midwest region). This reflects changes in environmental factors, such as pasture type, temperature and humidity. Acceleration in production in the northern region of Brazil has remained strong over the years. More recently, “traditional” cattle-rearing regions, such as the south and southeast, showed a reduction in growth rates as well as a reduction in herd size or internal migration over the period studied. These maps showed that this movement tends to be gradual, with few regions showing high acceleration or deceleration rates.

Bioeconomic impact of bull breeding soundness examination in cow-calf systems

Avaliou-se o impacto bioeconomico do exame andrologico na producao de bovinos de corte no Sul do Brasil. Foram comparados dois sistemas de producao similares com e sem a adocao do exame andrologico durante quatro anos no municipio de Julio e Castilhos. A taxa de touros inaptos no primeiro exame foi de 22,8%. Com a realizacao do exame, obteve-se aumento de 31% na producao de bezerros, 13,8 bezerros/touro/ano e 24 kg de bezerros/vaca/ano. A relacao beneficio/custo sobre o investimento com o exame andrologico foi de R

Measurement of scrotal circumference in beef bulls in Rio Grande do Sul

35,84. O exame andrologico melhora os aspectos bioeconomicos de sistemas de cria de bovinos de corte.It was evaluated the bioeconomic impact of the breeding soundness evaluation on beef cattle production in southern Brazil. Two similar production systems, with and without the use of breeding soundness evaluation, were compared during 4 years in the municipality of Julio e Castilhos. The rate of unsound bulls in the first examination was 22.8%. By performing the examination, calf production increased by 31%, 13.8 calves/bull/year and 24 kg of calves/cow/year. The benefit/cost ratio on the investment with the breeding soundness evaluation was R

Development and application of a bioeconomic efficiency index for beef cattle production in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

35.84. The breeding soundness evaluation improves bioeconomic aspects of beef cow-calf systems.

Advantages and challenges for Brazilian export of frozen beef

The variability of scrotal circumference and the effects of age and breed as well as the relationship between testicular weight (TW), scrotal circumference (SC), and live weight (BW) were investigated in bulls. Devon, Polled Hereford, and Red Angus breeds showed higher SC values than the other British, Continental, Synthetic, and Zebu studied breeds. The percentage of culled bulls because of low SC ranged from 7.01 to 24.25%. The increase of SC was proportional to the increase in TW and they were highly correlated (r2= 0.90). The results suggest that SC in young bulls is the best way to predict TW and, therefore, a useful tool for their selection

Componentes não-integrantes da carcaça de bovinos de três grupos genéticos terminados em confinamento ou pastejo rotacionado com suplementação

An index was developed to estimate the bioeconomic efficiency of production systems, identifying alternative scenarios that could improve their efficiency, and building isoefficiency relations in beef cattle production systems in Rio Grande do Sul. The concept of return on investment was used to develop the indicator. Scenarios regarded as efficient showed values higher than 3. The bioeconomic efficiency index for beef cattle production in the theoretical reference scenario was considered inefficient. At least four modifications in the variables method made it a bioeconomically efficient activity. These circumstances were studied using sensitivity analyses, with theoretical changes in the scenarios by changing variables two by two, while the others were kept constant. In Rio Grande do Sul, alternatives that make the activity efficient were identified by changing productivity, production cost, land price and product price. Isoefficiency relationships were identified in other scenarios. The application of this indicator in other agricultural activities, as well as the design of bioefficiency studies including both environmental and social welfare characteristics are recommended.

Carbon footprint in different beef production systems on a southern Brazilian farm: a case study

The objectives of this research were to analyse data on the international market of frozen boneless beef and to classify its participants into groups according to their trade relationships, identifying the main factors that influence the preference of a country to beef from a determined supplier country. International beef trade is composed of two markets: in one of them, the relationships between supplier and client depend on the lowest price, and Brazil is found in favorable conditions; and the other, the relationships are preferably based on the sanitary quality of the herd and traceability systems recognized by the purchaser, to which Brazilian participation is low.

Carbon footprint of milk production in Brazil: a comparative case study

The non-carcass components of steers from Brahman, Brangus and Hereford finished in feedlot or pasture with supplementation (mombaca grass) were evaluated. The animals were finished when subcutaneous fat thickness was over 4mm. The feedlot diets have roughage:concentrate ratio of 60: 40, with 13% CP crude protein and 62% TDN. The level of CP of mombaca grass was 7% with 56% TDN, and the supplement was 24% CP and 76% TDN. The experimental design was completely randomized with a 3x2 factorial arrangement (three genetic groups and two finishing systems) and means was compared by adjust Tukey test. Significant difference was observed for the slaughter weight (SW) and empty body weight (EBW) in steers maintained at pasture with supplementation. (409.68 versus 375.24kg of empty body weight), however, no differences were observed with the percentage of empty body dressing percentage (EBD). Brahman steers has the lowest percentage of vital organs independent of finishing system (2.19%). Same trend was showed for the total empty digestive tract with 3.77% for Brahman steers vs 4.87 and 4.48% EBW of Hereford and Brangus. The Brahman steers had lower weights of heart, lung and spleen than the Hereford and Brangus. Animals finished on pasture had greater weight of abomasums lung and kidneys than animals finished on feedlot 0.47 vs 0.35% EBW; 0.77 vs 0.71% EBW and 0.77 vs 0.71% EBW, respectively.