The aim of this study was to characterise the bovine milk production systems in the municipality of Timbiras, Maranhão, Brazil. During the research, periodic visits were made to milk producers in the municipality of Timbiras-MA, within the register of producers held in the archives of the State Agricultural Defence Agency (AGED).

Data was collected through interviews, questionnaires and visits to rural properties. It was observed that the majority of those interviewed, around 60 per cent, have between 21 and 50 cows in lactation and 40 per cent between 10 and 20 cows in lactation.

According to the data obtained, the daily production of the cows was ascertained: 20% of the producers stated that their cows produce between 20 and 50 litres of milk a day, 60% reported that their properties produce between 50 and 100 litres a day and 20% produce more than 100 litres a day. The municipality studied has great potential for growth in terms of bovine milk production, large arable areas, quality water resources that are easy to manage, as well as having a large effective herd and an internal market that can be developed over time.

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