Improvement proposal for the Don Alejo rabbit farm

Abstract

This case study presents "Don Alejo," a three-hectare farm located in Ministro Rivadavia, Almirante Brown district. It is a family-owned enterprise whose primary agricultural activity is rabbit farming for meat production. The farm is geographically situated in the Buenos Aires peri-urban area, a significant site for food production due to its diverse product range and proximity to major consumption centers. Based on the collected data, an evident challenge faced by the producer is the feed cost, which increased by 40% during the evaluation period. Consequently, the use of hydroponic oat fodder (HOF) implemented alongside balanced commercial feed is proposed to reduce feeding costs. Additionally, reducing the number of animals in production is considered as an alternative to meet existing demand by increasing reproductive efficiency within a semi-intensive system. Both alternatives are evaluated individually and in combination to determine their productive and economic impacts. The study concludes that the proposal is economically viable, generating positive gross and net margins through cost reduction.