| dc.description.abstract | The aim of this research, was to perform a holistic analysis of milk production systems, in the Eastern Townships in the province of Azuay - Ecuador, with a sample of 527 (Agricultural Production Unit) UPAs, the same that are distributed in three categories: UPAs small (<5 ha), medium (5-50 ha) and large (> 50 ha). Socioeconomic characteristics, management, marketing, production and reproduction, covering sets of variables studied. The information was obtained directly from producers and visits in the herd. Analyses include relative frequencies, crosstabs, means, and standard error, as well as analysis of principal component and clusters. The socioeconomic characteristics of the producer, showed the existence of 50% of older adults (40 to 60 years old), with a predominance of basic primary education, and outstanding participation of women in small farms. With regard to the characteristics of the farm, 46% of herds have the existence of natural pasture, however, 7,6% of the UPAs makes artificial insemination. Age at first birth was 32.5 months with a production of 7.7 liters per cow per day. They were determined for small, medium and large farms 3, 5 and 7 principal components respectively, the common Resources used for production in all. The cluster analysis showed the existence of seven distinct production systems in, handling, characteristics of the farm and production | |
