Dairy farmers' satisfaction with the price paid by processors in competitive markets

ABSTRACT: Price is the main attribute considered in negotiations between companies in many agricultural commodity markets. However, there is evidence that unit price is only one factor affecting dairy farmers' satisfaction with dairy processors, which has implications for the coordination of supply chains. The understanding of price satisfaction as embodying multidimensional attributes that influence farmer satisfaction are important for the formulation of commercial strategies aimed at reducing market asymmetries. The objective of this study was to assess dairy farmers' satisfaction with the prices they receive across multiple dimensions and to determine its relationship with overall satisfaction with dairy processors within a competitive market context. A conceptual price satisfaction model was used, and exploratory factor analysis was applied to identify the main constructs of satisfaction levels with price. Regression models were used to identify the relationship between theoretical constructs and levels of satisfaction. The results indicate that, in order of importance, milk dairy farmers' satisfaction with the price is explained by the constructs price transparency, price:quality ratio, price credibility, price confidence, and price fairness. Furthermore, the level of satisfaction with the price and the overall satisfaction of dairy farmers with dairy processors is independent of their technological level or scale of production. The results also suggest that a significant part of the satisfaction level of rural dairy farmers goes beyond the multidimensional aspects of price satisfaction, as is the case with milk in Brazil

Desempenho de bezerros leiteiros lactentes alimentados com feno

The experiment aimed to evaluate the influence of time of supply of hay in the performance of dairy calves Girolando breed submitted to early weaning at 90 days of life. Sixteen sucking calves were distributed in a completely randomized design. The diets tested were: T1- Concentrate; T2- Concentrate plus hay supplied at 15o day of life; T3- Concentrate plus hay supplied at 30o day of life; T4- Concentrate plus hay supplied at 60o day of life. An alfalfa (Medicago sativa) hay was offered without any grinding. All animals received 4 liters of milk daily, plus water and concentrate ad libitum. Concentrate was available from the 10o day of life. The observed variables were the initial (birth) and weaning body weights; daily weight gain, heights at withers and rump; thoracic perimeter; intake of the dry matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber; and feed:gain ratio were also measured. A diet containing only concentrate provided similar performance to diets containing ration plus hay. However, the diet containing ration plus hay from the 15o day of life provided the best ratio revenue/cost.Objetivou-se estudar a influência da época de fornecimento de feno no desempenho de bezerros leiteiros da raça Girolando, desaleitados aos no- venta dias de vida. Foram utilizados 16 animais lactentes, distribuídos num delineamento inteira- mente ao acaso. As dietas testadas foram: T1- Ração concentrada; T2- Ração concentrada mais feno fornecido a partir do 15o dia de vida; T3- Ração concentrada mais feno fornecido a partir do 30o dia de vida e T4- Ração concentrada mais feno fornecido a partir do 60o dia de vida. O feno de alfafa utilizado (Medicago sativa) foi oferecido sem qualquer tipo de trituração. Todos os animais receberam diariamente 4 litros de leite, mais água e ração concentrada a vontade, sendo a ração disponibilizada a partir do 10o dia de vida. As variáveis observadas foram os pesos corpóreos inicial (nascimento) e à desmama, o ganho de peso diário, as alturas de cernelha e garupa, o perímetro torácico, os consumos de matéria seca, proteína bruta e fibra em detergente neutro e a conversão alimentar. A dieta contendo somente ração con- centrada proporcionou desempenho semelhante às dietas contendo ração mais feno; a dieta contendo ração mais feno a partir do 15o dia de vida proporcionou a melhor receita/custo