Analysis of Some Farm Driving Variables and Its Relation with Milk Production in a Pastoral Dairy Farm of Buenos Aires, Argentina

The quantity of milk solids produced determines a dairy farm income and contributes to its profit. Total pasture production, forage quality and herd consumption are factors to be managed in this production system. The outcomes of two years were analyzed. Primary production showed its dependence on climatic conditions and use of technological inputs. Forage quality was promoted through interseeding legumes, applying fertilizer and maintaining the pasture young and leafy. Total forage removed by the herd was similar in both years although pasture production decreased. It was possible to cope with seasonal variations in forage production, by varying the grazing pressure and this allowed an increase in daily herd milk production and annual fat production per hectare. Changes in milk production per cow was not related to changes in stocking rate, however, although the nutritive value of the pasture was improved during the second period, daily milk production and forage consumption per animal decreased when grazing pressure increased. The relation between total milk produced and total dry matter consumed in both periods were similar