The profitability of a dairy farm, in Jaboticatubas-MG, was studied during five years - 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 e 2003. The collected data were processed using the EMATER-MG Rural Administration System and Agricultural Projects. In general, the damages were R$ -201,091.89, although the incomes were enough to pay the variable costs and to be left out R$ 130,003.54. Employees payment was the highest cost of the production (29.6%) and it forced the fixed costs to high (47.8%) The unitarian cost of the liter of milk reached R$ 0.71, while the farmer sold it for R$ 0.50. That means losses of R$ 0.21 for each liter during all the time of the study. Global results showed R$ 0.71 for the cost of a liter of milk, although it was paid just R$ 0.50. That means damages about R$ 0.21 for each liter of milk produced for such long time.
dairy cattle; profitability; production cost
