Productive Management Strengthens Efficiency and Sustainability in the Rio Mais Leite Project

Preparing the farms supported by the Rio Mais Leite Project for the dry season was the central focus of the productive management round carried out in October by the Instituto BioSistêmico (IBS) in the Southern Fluminense region.

The technical assistance was led by consultant and veterinarian Karen Costa, who guided adjustments in animal diets and reinforced essential practices to ensure better productive performance and animal welfare.

According to Karen, nutritional planning by lactation stage was one of the main topics addressed with producers. The region already has a tradition of feed bunk management using headlocks, which facilitates the organization of feed supply.

“The technical guidance provided by the project helps improve this management by adjusting the distribution of forage and concentrate so that each category receives a more specific and efficient diet, especially during the dry season,” she explains. She also highlights that the abundance of water on the monitored farms is a key advantage that supports production maintenance.

Dairy Farming Tradition and Emerging Results

Among the assisted producers is Emanoel Machado, from Paraíba do Sul, representing a family with four generations dedicated to dairy farming.

“My grandfather was a major milk producer, working with Holstein and Girolando cattle. My mother also produced milk for many years, and we even became champions in several livestock shows. Today, I continue this legacy,” he says.

The farm’s routine includes mechanical milking twice a day, carried out with the support of his wife, daughter, and two employees. With medium-scale production, the farm has already exceeded one thousand liters of milk per day, highlighting the productive potential of the system.

Impact of Technical Assistance and Focus on Sustainability

Emanoel states that progress has already been noticeable since the beginning of the project’s support. For him, IBS’s technical assistance is decisive in strengthening milk production.

“This assistance is very important to promote growth within the dairy value chain. Expectations are high, and we will reap many benefits here. Soil management, genetics, and nutritional management are very important areas in milk production.”

The producer emphasizes that the project has encouraged a more efficient and sustainable approach to the activity.

“We are focusing on sustainability, efficient management, and feed conversion, so that the cattle eat well, stay healthy, and convert this into more milk. Our goal is to reach 100 lactating cows and achieve around 2,000 liters per day,” he adds..

Continuous Monitoring and Strengthening of the Dairy Chain

For Matheus Magalhães, IBS Livestock Projects Coordinator, the productive management round highlights the importance of continuous technical assistance in adopting best practices and strengthening sustainability in rural areas.

“By guiding nutritional adjustments, organizing productive routines, and supporting technical decision-making, the Rio Mais Leite Project directly contributes to the evolution of dairy systems in the Southern Fluminense region, driving families like Emanoel’s toward a more efficient and competitive future,” Magalhães emphasizes.

About the Rio Mais Leite Project

Designed and implemented by the Instituto BioSistêmico, the Rio Mais Leite Project is funded by the Zoetis Foundation and focuses on the development of dairy farming in 100 family-based dairy farms located in the municipalities of Valença and Volta Redonda, in the southern region of the state of Rio de Janeiro.

The initiative includes technological assistance actions organized into four main areas: good practices, reproductive management, nutritional management, sanitary management, and good practices in artisanal cheese processing.

The project uses the CheckMilk methodology, which includes a digital platform with a management system and a mobile application to support the work of technical teams and producers, providing continuous support for farm routines.