Dairy production systems of Colombia: challenges and opportunities

Abstract

Colombia has opened its markets to international competition by signing several free trade agreements. This condition has generated great pressure on the dairy sector, which must be competitive in a globalized market. In the year 2014, Colombia produced 6.717 million L of milk and per capita milk consumption was 143 L. There are an estimated 99,000 dairy producers in specialized systems and 250,000 in dual-purpose systems. Specialized dairy production is found mainly in pastoral systems in the highland tropics (>2000 m elevation) with pastures of Kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum Hoschst ex Chiov) and the predominant dairy breed is Holstein Friesian. Average milk production is 12 to 14 kg/d with a stocking rate between 1 and 2 cows/ha. Dual-purpose dairying under grazing systems occurs mainly in the low (<1200 m) and medium-high (1200 to 2000 m) tropics, and uses crossbreed cows (Bos indicus × Bos taurus), with once a day milking with the calf present. The calf sucks residual milk and grazes with the mother until midday or mid-afternoon. Milk production is low (3 to 5 L/d) and lactation length is short (<280 d). Lowest unit costs of milk production (<U$ 0. 27/L) is obtained in low input systems and low productivity. These systems account for more than 66% of the producers and 54% of the milk produced nationally. The concentrations of milk fat and protein and standard plate count (SPC) are higher for dual-purpose systems (3.7%, 3.3%, and 884.993/mL) than for specialized dairies (3.5%, 3.1%, and 395.551 SPC/mL). Milk somatic cell count (SCC) is between 400,000 and 600,000 cells/mL nationally. Milk transportation costs are high due to the geographical dispersion of dairy producers and the low volumes they deliver (<200 L/d). Although Colombia has been declared free of foot and mouth disease with vaccination, its admissibility to international markets may be limited by other diseases such as brucellosis (prevalence >4%) or tuberculosis. To compete in international markets Colombia should consolidate milk production systems, improve milk quality (solids content, hygiene), increase volumes of delivery by the supplier and achieve zones of sanitary excellence.