PRODUÇÃO DE LEITE A PASTO NO CENTRO-OESTE BRASILEIRO E SUA IMPORTÂNCIA

Abstract

Dairy cattle farming is crucial for Brazilian agribusiness, generating economic impact and jobs. The sector has been technologically modernized, increasing demand and productivity. Data from IBGE (2022) indicate that, in 2021, Brazil produced approximately 35.30 billion liters of milk, with emphasis on the Southeast, Midwest and South regions, especially the states of Minas Gerais, Goiás, Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul. Goiás is one of the main producers, with 8.84% of the national production in 2021, totaling 3.12 billion liters. The Central Goiano mesoregion, responsible for 998.92 million liters, is the second largest producer in the state. The milk production chain is broad and present throughout the country, requiring territorial intelligence to manage resources, production, logistics, and other aspects (Hott et al., 2022). Scientific advances in ruminant nutrition and feeding over the past two decades have increased productivity, but also nutritional challenges, due to the higher needs of animals. Efficiency in the use of available resources is essential to reduce costs and improve production (Coutinho et al., 2015). In Brazil, pasture-based feeding is predominant, requiring strategies to circumvent forage scarcity caused by seasonal climatic variations (Silva et al., 2010). This study sought to highlight the main aspects of dairy cattle farming in pasture systems, its particularities, opportunities and limitations, offering a grounded understanding of the importance and efficiency of this system in the sector.