A proposal for the evaluation of the bioeconomic efficiency of beef cattle production systems

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to identify types of production system and their main indicators on bioeconomic efficiency, using qualitative and quantitative methods to evaluate beef cattle farms in the western region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. A survey was carried out with 43 farmers operating in the western region of that state. All farms operated with complete cycle production systems in areas larger or equal to 900 ha. A qualitative questionnaire with binary answers and a quantitative questionnaire with numerical answers were applied. Technology and Management drivers were used for the calculation of the efficiency index of farmers obtained by both questionnaires. Farmers were divided into three clusters: low-efficiency level (LEL), intermediate-efficiency level (IEM), or high-efficiency level (HEL), as a result of the comparison of the scores obtained for the analyzed parameters. Subfactors resulting from each comparison (LEL × IEL; LEL × HEL, and IEL × HEL) were different as a function of the comparison and of the methods applied. Low-efficiency level farmers need to improve essential production processes, such as technology and management, as well as health management practices together with the financial management of the production system. Intermediate-efficiency level farmers need to improve their routine animal management, pasture management, and calculation of financial indicators to become highly efficient. The quantitative method allowed to identify underestimation (39.3%) or overestimation (24.2%) when farmers were are classified in clusters. Different methods may be used, but those based on quantitative information have stronger discrimination power to identify different types of farmers.摘要 本研究旨在通过定性与定量方法评估巴西南里奥格兰德州西部的肉牛养殖场，以识别生产系统类型及其生物经济效率的核心指标。研究共调研了该州西部43家运营中的肉牛养殖农户，所有养殖场均采用完整周期生产模式，养殖面积不小于900公顷。本研究采用包含二元选项的定性问卷与需填写数值的定量问卷开展数据收集，并借助技术与管理驱动因子，基于两份问卷的结果计算农户的效率指数。基于各分析参数的得分对比，将农户划分为三类集群：低效率水平组（low-efficiency level, LEL）、中效率水平组（intermediate-efficiency level, IEM）与高效率水平组（high-efficiency level, HEL）。通过三组对比（LEL×IEL、LEL×HEL与IEL×HEL）得到的子影响因子，会因对比组别与所采用方法的不同而存在差异。低效率水平组农户需优化核心生产流程，包括技术与管理体系、健康管理实践，以及生产系统的财务管理。中效率水平组农户则需改进日常牲畜管理、牧场管理，并优化财务指标核算，以实现高效率运营。定量方法可识别出农户在集群分类中存在的低估（39.3%）或高估（24.2%）情况。尽管可采用多种分类方法，但基于定量信息的方法具备更强的区分能力，可有效识别不同类型的养殖农户。