Animal genetic resources, milk production and climate change characterization of the Quetzaltenango dairy chain

Abstract

The Production Area of the Quetzaltenango Highlands identified as “milk chain” is located in the North of the Department, including adjoining areas of Totonicapán and San Marcos, at altitudes of 2200 to 2800m. With varied conditions for such production, more than 300 families of small producers (5 average cows) work in the activity. The institutional intervention has been given by: Ministry of Agriculture, Cooperativa XELAC, ICTA, AID and private initiative in: organization, production, transformation, marketing for the “Good Practices”. The integration of knowledge and resources of Producers and specialists have produced “Appropriate Technologies” found when characterizing the Dairy Chain during the years 2008-2017: a). Use of livestock appropriate to the environment: animals housed up to 3/4 Holstein x Jersey x criollo, in double or triple crossing (chumeca), achieving adaptation to the environment and high productivity; b) Women are responsible for 80% of cases of dairy activity: care, milking, production of handicrafts and marketing; mainly of the “sija cheese” typical of the region; c) One tenth of raw milk goes to the Dairy Industry, mainly to the XELAC Cooperative that produces high quality natural products with Swiss technology for 40 years. d). With the introduction of “European” grasses by FAO / MAGA since 1974 and ICTA / DIGESEPE with the partner avena / vicia pastures have been worked in the area; with the limitation that the “European” grasses did not produce sexual seed at 2500 m.s.m.; due to the positive effect of climate change with an increase of 4˚C in the last 40 years plus other factors (light-rain) have made possible the production of “sexual seed” of Rye Grass (Lollium multiflorum), considering a benefit for producers of the area from the year 2010. e) The safety of milk and milk products is supported by adequate milking equipment, application of BPMS, integrated use of compost organic vermicompost and fertigation of the pasture with “wastewater” from the barn. Orienting buildings to the environment and climate change. The characterization of the production systems jointly: Producer-Beneficiary-Professional has been the constant to achieve sustainability, using Ethno-veterinary and Ethno-zootechnical tools.