Farmers perception of aspects liked with milk quality in Jagüey Grande municipality

Abstract

The Cuban dairy sector is working to reach higher production yields; however, the milking and preservation segments of the milk continue to be the weakest in the chain, as they determine the quality and safety of the milk. Due to production constraints and penalties for poor quality milk, dairy farmers are significantly affected, both productively and economically. Due to the productive limitations and the penalties for the poor quality of the milk, the dairy farmers are significantly affected, both productively and economically. In this regard, a panel of experts conducted a semi-structured survey at 100 % of the dairy farmers in the municipality of Jagüey Grande. The aspects evaluated were the location of the farm, its organizational and productive characteristics, the personal data and experience of each interviewee, as well as the knowledge of the current conditions of milk handling from milking to its delivery to the refrigerated collection center. In this way, the farmers themselves identified the difficulties affecting the handling of the milk and the aspects affecting its quality. The main limitations affecting the quality of the milk obtained were the inadequate conditions for milking, the limited quality of animal feed, the incorrect milking routine, the poor conservation of the milk on the farm, and the long distances in the transport, among others. It is concluded that there is a low perception, on the part of producers, of the fundamental aspects that limit them to reach better milk quality.