Technical-economic characteristics of bovine production systems of the Colombian creoles breeds Romosinuano and Hartón del Valle

Objective. Identify and characterize bovine production systems based on Romosinuano and Hartón del Valle creole breeds in lowland Colombian tropical conditions. Materials and methods. A random sampling survey was conducted among producers in the departments of Antioquia, Bolívar, Boyacá, Córdoba, Cesar, Cundinamarca, Meta, Santander, Sucre and Valle del Cauca. The main socioeconomic characteristics of the producers were determined, and the production systems were classified according to their purpose; likewise, their respective technological levels and technical-economic performance indicators were established. Results. The average age of the producers was 58 years old, with a higher level of education and 20 years of experience in livestock farming. The main animal performance parameters estimated for the Romosinuano breed were birth weight 28.0±1.3 kg, weaning weight 185.04±45.5 kg, fertility rate 80±16.0% and calving interval of 408 ± 43.0 days. Likewise, for the Hartón del Valle breed, the mentioned parameters were 28.1±0.32 kg, 199.5±8.3 kg, 82±9.0% and 354±13.0 days, respectively. The technological level of the systems was categorized as medium-high and their economic performance showed an annual profitability index of over 12%. Conclusions. The production systems based on creole breeds in the lowland Colombian tropics were characterized, mainly by a relevant technological level and differentiated parameters between breeds. The profitability was linked to both technical management and the producer's socioeconomic conditions.