On-farm assessment of the sustainability of small-scale dairy systems with three methods based on indicators.

Small-scale dairy systems are important contributors to national milk supplies in many areas of the world, and an option to ameliorate rural poverty in developing countries. In Mexico, they comprise over 78% of dairy farms. These systems must be sustainable in order to persist in the future.

Intensive grazing and maize silage to enhance the sustainability of small-scale dairy systems in the highlands of Mexico.

The effects of two innovative feeding strategies-intensive grazing (GR) and maize silage (MS)-on the sustainability of small-scale dairy systems (SSDS) were assessed in the highlands of central Mexico. On a total of 24 farms, four innovations were adopted between 2011 and 2014. Five farms continued their conventional feeding strategy (CC) of cut-and-carry pasture supplemented with commercial concentrate and ground corn grain, as well as straws (maize, oat, and wheat) in the dry season of feed scarcity; six farms implemented MS in the dry season; six farms GR of pastures; and seven farms implemented both GR and MS.

Performance of small-scale dairy farms in the highlands of central Mexico during the dry season under traditional feeding strategies.

In Mexico, small-scale dairy systems (SSDS) represent over 78 % of dairy farms and contribute with 37 % of national milk production; however, they face high feeding costs. The objective of this study was to assess the performance of SSDS during the dry season in terms of milk yields, milk composition and feeding costs under traditional feeding strategies, to identify areas of opportunity for improving their profitability. The information was collected from 22 SSDS every month during dry season.