THE DAIRY CATTLE SECTOR IS FACING DIFFICULTIES DUE TO THE REDUCTION IN MILK PRICES, THE INCREASE IN THE COST OF FEEDING AND THE UPCOMING ABOLITION OF THE QUOTA SYSTEM IN THE EU (ABRIL-2015). THE NEED TO IMPROVE THE COMPETITIVENESS OF THE DAIRY ENTERPRISE REQUIRES DECISIONS THAT ARE OFTEN DIFFICULT TO EVALUATE BECAUSE THEY ARE HIGHLY DEPENDENT ON MANY ECONOMICAL AND TECHNICAL FACTORS AND THEIR INTERACTIONS.