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June  2003

A scientific study proves the perfect adaptability of 
Fazenda Tamanduá’s dairy  herd

It is well known that environmental conditions have a considerable impact on the physiological parameters of animals and consequently their productivity.The climatic conditions of the North-Eastern semi-arid region are a priori adverse to milk production, because the rates of thermal comfort are always above what is considered ideal, with a negative impact on dairy breeds of European origin.   

It is above all a challenge to produce milk in conditions of high temperatures and low relative air humidity, high incidence of sunshine and scarce rain.    

Seeking to find the answers for breeders in the North-Eastern semi-arid region, the scientific bio-climatology team of the Rural Health and Technology Center of the Campina Grande Federal University, led by Professor Dr. Bonifácio Benicio, has been carrying out studies that seek above all to find out how adaptable to the climate the breeds raised in that region are. In 2002, some studies were carried out on zebu breeds, such as Sindi. 

With the participation of Professor Fernando Borja and the students Alfonso Argueta and José Rômulo, a study was carried out at Fazenda Tamanduá with the objective of checking on the adaptability of cows of the Brown-Swiss dairy breed, according to the bloodline degree. This was the first bio-climatological study carried out with this breed in semi-arid conditions in North-Eastern Brazil.   

The result reached was surprising: the Fazenda Tamanduá Brown-Swiss herd showed a degree of heat tolerance that was classified as Very High Heat Tolerance, and practically the same as that found for the Sindi zebu breed. 

In addition, there were no statistical differences found with regard to adaptability among the different bloodline degrees studied, thoroughbred cows even presenting a higher heat tolerance rate than that of mixed-breed cows. 

The data obtained allow us to state that the Brown-Swiss cattle live up to their fame of being a hardy breed. 

We wish to point out that ever since 1977 Fazenda Tamanduá’s herd has been the object of careful genetic selection, seeking an ideal balance between milk production and hardiness, within the conditions in which they live, that is, seeking low costs and perfect adaptation of the animals to local conditions.    

Export of mangoes produced in the secondary harvest

In the month of May, we managed to harvest and fill a refrigerated container of fresh organic mangoes, of the Tommy Atkins variety, exported to the Netherlands.

Due to the atmospheric humidity and the rains, the amount of fruit discarded was much greater than expected, including fruit with a bad appearance, with spots on the peel. All the rejected mangoes will be dehydrated after they ripen. 

The drought is coming back

Unfortunately, it’s easy to see that the dry period is back: the clear sky and the strong wind blowing make pastures turn yellow and the leaves on the trees wither and fall, especially those of the quince trees, whose root system is very superficial. 

The end of the rainy season, when we had rainfall of no more than 461.9 mm – that is, half the average of the last 80 years – leaves us in a very precarious situation.

While the silos are full of sorghum, the reservoirs, on the other hand, are almost dry, jeopardizing any normal irrigation of the mango trees over the next 10 months. We will have to find ways to help them escape!  

Rainfall data from 1911 to 2001
Fazenda Tamanduá - Santa Terezinha - PB - Brazil