Economic and technical results of a study involving 22 dairy farms in 10 municipalities of Viçosa, MG, Brazil, were evaluated. In the properties that presented negative economic results, problems were detected in the production phase. Technical indexes of the properties that presented a return rate higher than that of savings investment were taken as reference, and measures were proposed to increase the efficiency of the other farms. The scale of production is of the utmost importance to enhance dairy farm interest. Genetic standard improvement by means of artificial insemination with semen of animals with high productive potential has contributed to raise the productivity indexes of the herd, land and labor and, consequently, the economic indexes. Food and animal environment were relevant factors for the activity success. Increased milk quality via mechanized milking immediately followed by cooling has generated gains throughout the whole productive process.
technical analysis; economic analysis; production scale
