Productive and economic characterization of dual-purpose cattle in three tropical regions of Mexico

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the production characteristics, economic indicators, rate of adoption of technology in farms of dual purpose cattle. The study was carried in three regions of the Mexican tropic (Tabasco, Chiapas and Sinaloa), in 30 cattle farms of dual purpose cattle, chosen with random sampling. A system of records was established that included productive variables, management practices and expenditures of the production process. With an analysis of variance, differences in the productive and economic variables between regions were detected and a regression analysis was used to measure the relationship of the technological adoption rate with the economic performance variables. The average milk production per cow and day was 6.47, 5.49 and 12.24 l; the technological adoption rate (0 to 21 scale) was 10.95, 9.20 and 12.24 and the production cost of one liter of milk was 0.24 (sic), 0.26 (sic), and 0.28 (sic) in Tabasco, Chiapas and Sinaloa, respectively, differing between regions (P < 0.05). The most used technological components were in the feeding area, with average frequencies of 97\%, 93\% and 100\% and the lowest frequency was presented in the reproductive area with 40\%, 20\% and 30\% for Tabasco, Chiapas and Sinaloa, respectively. The technological adoption rate was positively related to milk production, profitability on investment and utility.