Evolving Dairy Cattle Systems in Chile: Structural Shifts and Adaptation Strategies

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Environmental Science
• Geography

Background:

• Chile's dairy sector has undergone significant structural and geographical transformations.
• Understanding these changes is crucial for assessing the sector's sustainability and future development.
• Previous research has not fully captured the spatial and typological evolution of dairy farming in Chile.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the structural and geographical changes in Chile's dairy cattle systems between 1997 and 2021.
• To identify key trends in farm numbers, cattle stocks, herd sizes, and pasture utilization.
• To explore the typological and regional variations in dairy farming evolution.

Main Methods:

• Utilized agricultural census data from 1997 to 2021.
• Employed descriptive statistics, multivariable analysis, and geographical mapping.
• Identified typological groups based on stocking rates, farm dimensions, and pasture use.

Main Results:

• A substantial decrease in dairy farms (-69%) and cattle stocks (-25.4%) was observed.
• A trend towards intensification, characterized by larger herd sizes and higher stocking rates, was evident.
• Significant regional disparities emerged, with southern regions gaining importance and central regions declining; grassland utilization shifted towards improved and sown pastures.

Conclusions:

• Chile's dairy sector is consolidating and intensifying, with regional shifts and changes in pasture use.
• Typological groups reveal distinct evolutionary pathways influenced by environmental and socioeconomic factors.
• The findings offer insights into the challenges and opportunities for dairy farming sustainability in Chile.