Uso da análise espacial para avaliação de indicadores de qualidade do leite na microrregião de Ji-Paraná, Rondônia, 2011

Abstract

The attributes related to the geographic location of the herds and their milk quality indicators can be exploited for geostatistical analysis and identification of areas (territories) with similar geographic characteristics and provided with spatial correlation for variables of interest. The aim of this study was to analyze the feasibility of spatial analysis for evaluating indicators of milk quality. The study was developed with information on geographical coordinates and results of fat, protein, lactose, somatic cell count (SCC) and total count of bacteria (TBC) from 217 herds located in the State of Rondonia. The study area was 25.088,40 km2, located in the microregion of Ji-Paraná. The spatial dependence of the indicators of milk quality was assessed by semivariogram. If identified spatial dependence, were estimated values of the indicator under study for non-sampled locations within the space, without bias and with minimum variance through the method known as kriging for data interpolation. The results showed that spatial dependence for fat, lactose, nonfat solids (NFS), somatic cell count (SCC) and total count of bacteria (TBC). There was a weak spatial dependence for fat and NFS. However, we identified a moderate spatial dependence for lactose, SCC and TBC. It is suggested that the low and moderate spatial dependence found in the study was due to the few number of herds included in the study. The maps generated in this study showed areas with different values for the indicators of milk quality. These maps may be used by government agencies in policy aimed at improving milk quality, planning and decision making for the sector. Spatial analysis of the quality of milk proved to be a viable tool to assess the variation of milk components, SCC and TBC between areas in the same region. The information generated by maps of milk quality may be used in the definition of public policies and management strategies for the dairy industry in Rondônia State.