Sources of growth in cattle milk production in the acre state, Brazilian Amazon

The article evaluates the behavior of beef milk production and prices in the Acre state, Brazilian Amazon. Production growth rates, cow herd, animal productivity, prices and milk production value were calculated to identify their behavior patterns from 1990 to 2016. Acre state is the fourth largest bovine milk producer from northern region of Brazil and between 1990 and 2016 production grew 3.60% per year. The biggest influence is due to herd expansion, as the herd of milked cows grew 2.92% per year, compared to a 0.66% per year rate of animal productivity. The production value of Acre dairy farming grew during the three decades analyzed, and in 13 years positive rates were registered. However, prices received by producers showed a declining trend with steeper declines in the 1990s and 2000s and relative stability between 2013 and 2016. The growth in the gross value of dairy farming has been supported by the expansion of the herd and, to a lesser extent, for productivity gains which configures the predominance of extensive production systems.