CARACTERIZAÇÃO DA PECUÁRIA DE CORTE NA REGIÃO DE TAPEJARA - PR

Northwestern Parana comprehends the largest part of the state cattle livestock. In that region, one can find different cattle finishing systems. Quality work producers can be pointed out in seeking cattle improvement and lower production costs. As the system intensifies, one observes that higher yields can be achieved. Thus, this work intended to analyze cattle finishing systems in Tapejara, state of Parana (PR), at Emater, from August 2 to September 2, 2004. In order to characterize the cattle finishing systems situation, the chemical conditions of the pasture soils were analyzed, and 50 analyses previously performed were consulted, with the mean contents of pH, organic matter, carbon, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, hydrogen, aluminum, and soil base saturation were calculated. In addition, producers were classified according to livestock size, into small, average and great, and in accordance with the production type (cattle raising, breeding and finishing). Next, the variable costs at the different cattle finishing systems were calculated. After data analysis, higher yields were observed as cattle finishing was intensified. At the region of Tapejara/PR, even great livestock producers have become more technical, as much as that requires more work and investments. Many producers remain into the extensive system, with less work and costs apparently not high. Some, as one sees in the region, are not concerned with soil conservation and pasture fertilization.