Characterization of milk production and quality on family farming properties in the southern region of Rio Grande do Sul

The dairy chain has great socioeconomic importance in the national agricultural scenario. Family farmers have significant importance in this context, representing 60% of this production. The objective of this study was to analyze the profile of Family Farming Milk Production Units (UPLs) in the Southern Region of Rio Grande do Sul. For this purpose, questionnaires were applied to 54 family farmers from a cooperative in the municipality of Cangucu, and milk samples from the cooling tanks were analyzed, tracing production and farmers profiles, milk quality parameters, hygiene of the process, conditions and type of milking. The results were compared with the standards established by Normative Instruction n degrees. 76. The producers have low levels of education, however, 70.4% receive some type of technical assistance. The average area of the properties is 18.4 hectares. Most of the UPLs studied have other agricultural activities to increase household income. The production has low technification, as manual milking is performed in 59.2% of the analyzed UPLs. Total Bacterial Count patterns, which weren't in accordance with legislation, reflected management failures and lack of better milking practices, since pre and post dipping practices were not common, paper towel drying, and clinical or subclinical mastitis identification. The analysis of Somatic Cell Count (CCS) and the averages of milk constituents such as fat, lactose, proteins and solids content remained within the standards established by legislation.