Rio Mais Leite Project Launches Productive Management Visits

Actions include nutritional diagnosis, soil sampling, and guidance for cost reduction and increased milk productivity.

The first round of productive management visits under the Rio Mais Leite Project, carried out in June and July 2025, benefited around 100 rural properties in the municipalities of Paty do Alferes, Rio das Flores, Paraíba do Sul, Barra do Piraí, and Pinheiral.

The initiative was led by agricultural technician Diogo Peralta, a consultant from the Instituto BioSistêmico (IBS), the organization responsible for implementing the project in the state of Rio de Janeiro.

The goal of this phase was to understand how farmers are feeding their herds, considering the use of forage, concentrates, pastures, and mineral supplementation. Based on this assessment, animal diets were adjusted to optimize ingredient use and reduce production costs without compromising herd performance.

“Based on the information collected, we were able to guide producers toward more efficient feeding practices, balancing the diet and adjusting herd mineralization. In many cases, we reduced costs with concentrated feed without sacrificing productivity,” Diogo highlights.

In addition to the nutritional aspect, soil samples were also collected from areas intended for summer forage production, such as paddocks, grass stands, and silage fields. The results will inform appropriate fertilization recommendations, increasing forage productivity on the participating farms.

According to the technician, many producers lack specialized support, which can lead to mistakes in diet formulation. “Some herds are underfed, reducing their productive potential, while others are overfed, resulting in unnecessary costs that impact profitability,” he explains.

The same challenges are often seen in crop management: improper fertilizer use, poor timing of planting, and issues with soil preparation and harvesting. “These mistakes compromise feed production and cause significant financial losses. That’s why the project’s technical support plays a crucial role in the development of these farms,” the consultant adds.

Focused on improving productivity, reducing costs, and enhancing producers’ technical skills, the Rio Mais Leite Project continues with the next stages of technical follow-up in the participating regions, reinforcing the role of technical assistance as a strategic tool for the development of dairy farming in Rio de Janeiro.

About the Rio Mais Leite Project

Conceived and implemented by the Instituto BioSistêmico, the Rio Mais Leite project is funded by the Zoetis Foundation and focuses on developing dairy farming in 100 family-farming profile dairy properties in the municipalities of Valença and Volta Redonda, located in the southern region of Rio de Janeiro State.

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

The project uses the CheckMilk methodology, which includes a digital platform with a management system and a support app for technical teams and farmers, providing continuous support for farm operations.