Characterization and technological classification of the dual-purpose bovine system of the Huasteca region in Veracruz state, Mexico

Objective. To characterize the dual-purpose bovine system (SPDP, by its acronym in Spanish) by livestock production units (UPP, by its acronym in Spanish) put in place in some municipalities of the Huasteca Alta Veracruzana region (HAV), and to determine the typology of UPP within the SPDP. Materials and methods. Using social variables of cattle producer and quantitative variables of the farms; technological indices, grouped in zootechnics practices (Reproduction, health, nutrition, forage, and management), information from 135 UPP within the SPDP, collected through surveys and on-site visits, and records of their social, economic and livestock activities. Likewise, the climate panorama was analyzed using information from meteorological stations within the region. Multivariate K-means and Cluster analysis (Statistica V10) were used; thus, it was possible to identify five groups of UPP, classified as follows: Business (n = 4), Transition (n = 29), Traditional High (n = 34), Medium (n = 37) and Low (n = 31). Socioeconomic, productive, and farm-specific variables were analyzed with One-way ANOVA. Results. The Business and Transition UPP differed (p<0.05) from Traditional types in that they counted with a greater area (in hectares) destined to livestock farming, as well as a greater number of cows and higher technological indices of health, nutrition and economic (p<0.05), characteristics that yield a higher income from the sale of milk and feeder calves. Conclusions. The SPDP technological index goes from 0.37±0.01 to 0.61±0.06 (low-medium); which, paired with the current weather conditions, affects its productivity.