Voisin’s rational grazing – conformity indices (CI-VRG)

Abstract

The results of a field research developed in 20 family farms in the West of Santa Catarina’s State, Brazil, in order to obtain the Index of Conformity of the Voisin’s Rational Grazing (IC-VRG), are showed and discussed in this article. Besides, there will be a brief description of the farms. Collected data demonstrated that the farms have the following characteristics: average area of 17.25ha, where approximately 50% of this area is used for dairy activities; an average of 19 cows/farm, producing each cow 6.000 L/month. The IC-VRG was calculated from the sum of points obtained for each farm, divided by the sum of the maximum of points that a farm could possible obtain. The IC-VRG of the 20 farms studied varied from 38% to 98%; the vast majority, however, was found to be above 70%, and merely 3 farms were below 50%. When the analysis was restricted, only 10 farms, which represent half of the analyzed ones, presented an IC above 88%. According to the data and with previous experiences of various related projects, we are convinced that the greater the IC-VRG is, the better will be the obtained results, in terms of production, life quality, conservation of natural resources and animal welfare as well. Besides, the farms that use the VRG produce milk of quality with sustainable and agro-ecological technology.