A stochastic production frontier model was estimated to provide standard measurement of technical efficiency of the dual-purpose cattle system located in Zulia State, Venezuela. This system is based on local and low-cost inputs, but has been considered to be inefficient because of its low partial productivity indices when compared with those used in developed countries. Results indicate that the efficiency of this system is reasonably high, downplaying the general idea of inefficiency. Likewise, the efficiency of this system has the potential for improvement through public policies and managerial decisions based on the determinants of technical efficiency.