Acompañamiento técnico en la evaluación de la calidad de la leche, nutrición, producción y manejo en el sistema de producción de bovinos de leche de la Universidad Federal de Viçosa.

Abstract

The main objective of this internship was to provide technical support at the Dairy Cattle Teaching, Research, and Extension Unit (UEPE-GL) of the Federal University of Vicosa, Brazil, to evaluate milk quality, nutrition, production, and management in the dairy cattle production system to ensure a quality dairy production system. Thus, the program participated in the application of good milking practices, observation of total solids assessment, and monitoring of somatic cell count (SCC) and milk urea nitrogen (MUN) tests. Clinical and subclinical mastitis tests were performed using the OnFarm method and microbiological cultures. In addition to activities such as cow, calf, and heifer management, pen cleaning and disinfection, batch feeding, and monitoring of production indicators, the Penn State method was used to evaluate silage particle size, and postpartum metabolic controls such as BHBA and urinary pH were performed. The practical activities demonstrated that implementing milk quality assessment and good milking practices (GMPs) contribute to milk safety. In conclusion, proper nutrition, animal welfare, calf, heifer, and cow management, as well as health, reproductive, and production management, and data control are very important for profitable, high-quality production and for constant improvement to always offer a safe product.