Socioeconomic evaluation and quality parameters of refrigerated raw milk from small dairy farms of Vale do Taquari, RS

Abstract

In Brazil, there is still a large portion of milk producers with a small production, and to maintain a dairy activity it is necessary that it becomes sustainable and profitable to meet the quality standards required for the production of refrigerated raw milk. In the region of Vale do Taquari, RS, Brazil, the dairy farming represents the economic base of most small rural properties, which indicates the great importance of this production system for the region. Therefore, an exploratory, qualitative and quantitative research was carried out on the socioeconomic aspects and perspectives for the milk production, among 35 small producers in the Vale do Taquari. Physicochemical and microbiological analyses were also performed for the refrigerated raw milk produced. The results show that most of the milk parameters meet the legislation; however, there is noncompliance in the production under the responsibility of 25 producers (71%) for the somatic cell count (SCC). As for the verification of the socioeconomic data of producers, we observed the average of 59 L of milk per day in the production of the smallsized farmers, among whom 15 were considered elderly (42.85%), and eight (22.85%) intend to cease the activity, which is a cause of concern as to the future of family succession in these properties. Thus, the extension of public policies should be implemented for family farming, to enable equal conditions of production and sale of the raw material by the small-sized farmers.