Innovation mornings: research in ecological livestock

The Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food (DARP) from the  Catalan Government organized a workshop on Ecological livestock on 20th September 2018. The main goal was to bring the livestock sector closer to the main research centers from Catalonia.

During the first half of the morning, different researchers from many institutions showed their main results regarding ecological livestock, including Dr. Florencia Correa Fiz from IRTA-CReSa who had the chance to present the Animal Health Program from IRTA and present the present projects related to this topic. Also, two other researches from IRTA, Emma Fàbregas from the Welfare Animal Program and Núria Panella from the Meat Science Program exhibited their work on ecological research from their different points of view.

In the second half of the workshop, different representatives from the sector expressed their main interests and concerns over the necessity of information and investigation on particular aspects. Among the organisms present during the workshop were the ‘Unió de Pagesos, Joves agricultors i ramaders de Catalunya’, FCAC, the ‘Associació de Productors de porcí ecologic’, PORCAT, FAC, ARCC, Federació Frisona de Catalunya, the ‘Associació Catalana de Fabricans d’aliments compostos’ y FECOC. On th other side, representing the DARP was Jaume Sió (Subdirector General de Transferència i Innovació Agroalimentaria), Quim Xifra (Subdirector General de Ramaderia, Generalitat de Catalunya) and Neus Ferrete (subdirectora General d’Agricultura, Generalitat de Catalunya). It was a productive morning were a number of specific issues were on the table:

  • Tuberculosis and wildlife
  • Biosecurity
  • Transfer the experience from ecological farms from Northern Europe
  • Economical efficiency
  • Welfare and certifications
  • Ecological food supply
  • Consultants
  • Bruocracy

The repesentatice from ‘Associació de productores de porcí ecològic de Catalunya’ also pointed out several issues:

  • Post-weaning diarreas
  • Gut microbiota analysis
  • Mastitis-Metritis-Agalactia (MMA)
  • Desinfection and clean protocols
  • Facilities adaptation

It was a profitable morning where many colaborations have been established, and two different secotrs had a unique chance to interact each other: farmers and researchers.

About the author of this post:

Investigadora del Programa de Sanitat Animal. IRTA-CReSA. flor.correa@irta.cat