Feeding Systems with Legumes to Intensify Dairy Farms - cgiar

Real interest (%)
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
5 6 7 8 9 10
Payback period (years)
1,000 kg/lactation 1,500 kg/lactation 2,000 kg/lactation
Figure 5. Real interest rate which could be paid by adopting Cratylia +
sugarcane, based on cow productivity in Nicaragua.
Another important characteristic in Pucallpa is that the production/cow
is very low (3 kg/cow per day, Table 1), especially in the dry season when it is
practically nill. This characteristic can be due to several factors: (a) low
genetic potential for milk production, (b) little availability of nutrients in
grasses due to high pasture degradation in low fertility soils, and (c) a very
limited market for raw milk.
Regarding the last factor, daily production of fresh milk in the area of
Pucallpa is about 2,500 kg and the cattle inventory decreased from 82,000
heads in 1986 to 26,000 at present as a consequence of terrorist activities and
cattle rustling. The city of Pucallpa, with a population of 300,000, does not
have a milk processing plant. As a result, consumption of milk in Pucallpa is
mostly in the form of evaporated milk imported from other cities of the
country. This situation has accustomed the population to drink pasteurized
milk. As a result, the market for raw milk is very small. Four of the nine
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