Comparación de la estructura y rendimientos ganaderos en sistemas de producción tradicional y ecológico de bovino en Extremadura. Comparison of the structure and livestock yields in traditional production systems and ecological bovine Extremadura

Summary

The paper analyzes the structure and performance of beef cattle farms in Extremadura: Conventional (n = 50), Organic with no sales of organic products (n = 37) and Organic farms with sales of organic products (n = 11).
Regarding stocking rate levels, no significant differences were observed among groups. By contrast, significant differences among the three types of farms regarding racial structure (p <0.05). Similarly, significant differences were found (p <0.1) in relation to farm's area, cattle's reproductive management and performance.
The study highlights the similarity between conventional and organic cattle production in Extremadura. This fact could allow a smooth transition of conventional farms to the organic production model.