Embrapa Southeast Livestock is one of the research centers of the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, linked to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply.

Mission

To provide technological solutions for the sustainability of agriculture in the Southeast region through research, development and innovation, for the benefit of society.

Infraestructure

• Total area of 2,538 ha, including 1,491 ha of cultivated pastures and experimental plots, and 1,047 ha of forest reserves.
• Experimental cattle herd with approximately 2,500 animals of various breeds.
• Laboratories: Animal Nutrition, Spectroscopy and Flow Analysis, Seeds, Biotechnology, Soils, Animal Health, Chemical Wastes Treatment, Crop Production, Animal Reproduction, Meat Quality.
• Library: a collection of about 20 thousand books and technical memory in electronic format.
• Intensive systems of milk and meat production.

Staff
152 employees, 39 of whom are researchers.

Main fields of research

Safety and quality of agricultural products
 

Safety of food of animal origin

Development of:

•        Tests for the diagnosis of chemical and biological contaminants.
•        Products and alternative processes for veterinary drugs.
•        Test, analysis and validation of systems of traceability and certification of products.

Quality of products of animal origin

Development of technologies for improvement of sensory, functional and nutritional characteristics of products of animal origin.

Efficiency and sustainability of agricultural production

Rehabilitation and sustainable use of natural resources in agricultural systems

Development of techniques for:

• Sustainable soil management.
• Recuperation of degraded pastures.
• Use of alternative sources of nutrients.

Agroecological zoning.

Intensive animal production systems

Development of techniques for:

• Efficient use of resources in production systems.
• Sustainable management (reproductive and health) of ruminant herds.

Integration of productive systems

• Evaluation of integrated farming systems (ruminant husbandry and forestry).

Utilization, treatment and disposal of agricultural wastes

Adaptation to climate changes

• Development of techniques for the reduction of gaseous emissions in livestock production systems.
• Adaptation of genetic resources (plant and animal) to climate change scenarios.

Actions of technology transfer and innovation

• Management of intellectual property.
• Identification of client and partner demands.
• Development of techniques for technology transfer.
• Coordination of business and partnerships.
• Assessment of technology impacts.
• Information management and publication editing.
• Communication
• Press office.