| مستخلص: |
After abolishment of agricultural tariffs by NAFTA, the state of Veracruz, Mexico's number one beef cattle producer, is suffering from declining profits in the beef cattle sector. The 3.3 million ha of mostly native pasture utilized for cattle production in extensive grazing systems, with little or no chemical inputs, require innovative use and offer excellent premises for conversion to organic beef production (OBP). A project to develop integrated sustainable OBP systems in the Mexican tropics and market value-added beef began 2002. The hypothesis was that a strategic alliance of researchers, an organic certification agency, and ranchers would enable a pioneer producer to convert to OBP and integrate his enterprise. The methodology used was to offer producers guided implementation of the European norm 2091 for organic livestock production and extension activities on enterprise integration. The pioneer producer used to raise Zebu cattle on 550 ha of native pastures, supplied minerals, applied limited chemical herbicides and tick treatments, and marketed live cattle at 400 kg BW and 27 mo of age with a dressing percentage (DP) of 55%. In 2002, he obtained organic certification of his 565-head integrated OBP with Zebu crosses in a rotational, agroforestry grazing system with mechanical weed and organic parasite control. Finishing cattle are fed 2 kg/d of concentrate with 18% CP during 4 mo and ADG is 830 g until slaughter at 22 mo of age and 450 kg BW with a DP of 58%. In 2003, a butcher shop, packaging and sales of beef were added and the post-harvest chain was certified as organic. Income increased 157% with the enterprise integration, followed by 14.8% in 2004, while variable costs rose 19.6 and 11.1%, respectively. Since 2003, yearly volume of boneless beef sold with 10% added value to the producer grew from 10 to 18 tons in a total of five states. In 2005 income rose 140 and costs 16.6% and a positive balance of USD 51,920 was achieved. In conclusion, the pioneer producer has proven that it is possible to integrate an OBP enterprise in Veracruz. He is now consolidating a group of producers joining him in this effort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |