Title: Exploring the reproduction practices of dairy farms: a typology

Authors: Ioannis Mitsopoulos; Athanasios Ragkos; Alexandros Theodoridis

Addresses: Department of Agricultural Technology, Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, Sindos, 57400, Thessaloniki, Greece ' Department of Agricultural Technology, Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, Sindos, 57400, Thessaloniki, Greece ' Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, P.O. Box 410, Thessaloniki, 54214, Greece

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to examine the profile of dairy farms according to their reproduction management practices. Using established methodological tools on data from an extensive survey of 123 dairy farms the analysis yields five alternative profiles. It appears that artificial insemination is the preferred method of reproduction, however a non-trivial percentage (22%) also applies natural mating - solely or complementarily. Farms having adopted modern practices are divided in those which use them efficiently and those which lack the technical training to implement them properly; on the other hand, experienced farmers tend to keep established methods.

Keywords: dairy farms; reproduction practices; farm typology; farm management survey; reproduction management; farmers; artificial insemination; natural mating.

DOI: 10.1504/IJARGE.2014.063581

International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology, 2014 Vol.10 No.2, pp.146 - 163

Published online: 26 Jul 2014 *

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