Characterization an evaluation of pastures and cattle at smallholder agriculturalists in northeast Pará State, Brazil

Abstract

In Northeastern Pará smallholder agriculturalists have established small pastures and manage small herds, mainly with the objective of investing profits in their crops, as a form of savings to meet the family's and property's future needs. There are indications of pasture and herd problems that limit production and sustainability, and threaten the crops that really sustain the property. This study sought to identify constraints and technological solutions, and make information available for public policies. In the 1st phase of this study and using 38 smallholdings sampled at random, the pastures and herd management were described, and in the 2nd phase, with a smaller sample of 12 smallholdings during 29-month period, the potential of these two components was evaluated. In general, the smallholdings have low-productivity and ranching is vulnerable. Due to the low soil fertility and the deficient management, pastures do not supply all the herd's feed needs, neither in quantity nor quality. Herd management deficiencies are characteristic of extensive production systems. However, these constraints can be overcome with well-known technologies of pasture establishment, maintenance and management, and herd reproduction, calf management, and herd health, allowing significant improvement. New exploitation models were suggested also.