The Apta Regional in Colina, part of the São Paulo Agency for Agribusiness Technology (Apta), supported by the Agribusiness Research Development Foundation (Fundepag), is developing a project to transform Brazilian livestock farming by implementing technologies that increase bioeconomic efficiency and sustainability. Titled “Bioeconomic Sustainability in the Production of Confined Beef Cattle,” the project evaluates antibiotic alternatives, explores novel feed options that enhance meat quality and animal performance, and examines the impacts of rearing practices on finishing efficiency.
Flávio Dutra de Resende, a zootechnician with a PhD in Ruminant Production from the Federal University of Viçosa (MG), leads the project. His goal is to increase productivity and profitability in livestock farming by reducing costs and environmental impacts. This project includes a public-private partnership that involves UNESP campuses in Jaboticabal and Botucatu, the South American Livestock Company S.A. (CSAP), and animal nutrition firm Alltech, fostering a blend of scientific research and practical implementation.
In its early stages, the project has already begun evaluating additives that could replace antibiotics in the production of confined beef cattle, directly addressing the increasing demands of consumers for high-quality meat. “State of São Paulo, a major hub for cattle confinement in Brazil, provides the perfect backdrop for these innovations due to its extensive industrial processing capabilities and a variety of alternative feeds derived from agro-industrial waste,” says Resende.
However, Resende points out a significant hurdle: the stringent requirements of export markets, particularly China, which is a major buyer of Brazilian beef and imposes strict criteria such as a maximum slaughter age of 30 months. To comply with these standards, producers are compelled to shorten the rearing and finishing periods for cattle, a move that poses substantial challenges in maintaining bioeconomic efficiency.
Although faster production cycles can boost productivity, they do not necessarily lead to greater profits for farmers. Thus, the project seeks solutions that not only increase output but do so in a way that is environmentally, economically, and productively sustainable, ensuring that Brazilian producers remain competitive in both local and global markets.
Essential Oils: Studies Point to an Alternative to Antibiotics in the Diet of Confined Cattle
Although the field stages of the first subproject “Effect of Using a Blend of Essential Oils in the Diet of Confined Nellore Cattle on Performance and Carcass Characteristics” are still underway, the project is already beginning to show its initial results.
During the 4th Beefday, held in August in Colina (SP), which saw the participation of 2,380 cattle farmers from various parts of Brazil and countries like Paraguay, Bolivia, and Panama, promising advancements were shared. “The highlight was the viability of replacing antibiotics with essential oils in the diet of confined cattle, a solution that meets the growing demands of the consumer market for more sustainable practices,” explains Resende.
With more companies joining the project, the initial goals aimed at improving bioeconomic efficiency and reducing environmental impact are closer to being achieved. “The Apta Regional of Colina, nationally recognized for its research on beef cattle, has attracted the interest of private sector companies, especially in the area of animal nutrition, for future partnerships and the development of new technologies,” the coordinator advances.
The support from Fundepag has been crucial to the success of this pioneering project. As it involves a public-private partnership, which includes the collaboration of private sector companies in developing research at the Apta Regional of Colina, it was necessary to create specific calls for proposals to attract interested partners. “The Foundation played a central role in drafting and promoting these calls, which led to the joining of the company Alltech as the first partner in the project. From this collaboration, it was possible to initiate the subproject that assesses the use of essential oils in the diet of confined cattle, aligned with the sustainability and bioeconomic efficiency goals of the initiative,” explains Resende.
