Dona Formosa Dairy begins ESG journey with supplier farms.
The project begins with animal welfare and creates a foundation for social, environmental, and management actions aligned with the reality of producers and the development of the region.
Dona Formosa has begun an ESG journey with the farms that make up its supply chain, with the goal of supporting sustainable development connected to the reality of producers and the priorities of the region. The first step was dedicated to animal welfare and included a diagnosis of 12 dairy farms located in Águas Formosas, Crisólita, Fronteira dos Vales, and Joaíma, in Minas Gerais.
The assessments were carried out in the field by PHG Agrinvesti technicians Bruno Palhares and Paulo Henrique Guimarães, using the BEA Score, a digital solution developed by ESGpec to diagnose the welfare of dairy cattle based on international technical and scientific references, including the guidelines of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
The initiative gains relevance due to the profile of the participating properties. In all of them, milk production is the main activity, and the owners are directly involved in the production routine. The teams consist of one to three people, and together, the farms account for an estimated production of approximately 1.3 million liters of milk per year.
The participating properties are located in northeastern Minas Gerais, in municipalities within a region historically marked by socioeconomic challenges and reduced access to development opportunities. In the field, the project brings together smaller-scale producers, lean teams, and varying levels of technology and access to technical assistance and management tools. It is in this context that the INOVA DONA FORMOSA program expands its reach beyond animal welfare: the aim is to provide knowledge, strengthen management, support improvements in farm efficiency and results, and thereby contribute to the quality of life of producers and the development of the entire regional dairy chain.
"The quality that reaches the consumer begins long before the industry. With this journey, we want to better understand the reality of our producers and move forward alongside them, caring for the animals, valuing the people, and seeking solutions that contribute to the sustainability of the entire chain," says Guilherme Abrantes, founder of Dona Formosa and president-elect of the Federation of Industries of the State of Minas Gerais (FIEMG).
Animal welfare as a first step
The work began with ESGpec's BEA Score tool, which assesses five major dimensions: environment, behavior, mental state, nutrition, and health. The consolidated diagnosis established a baseline of 6.38 points, on a scale of zero to ten, which will serve as a reference for monitoring the evolution of the properties.
The group's best results were observed in the Environment domain, with 80.91%, and Behavior, with 77.34%. Among the positive points identified in 11 of the 12 farms are the availability of adequate space for lactating cows to rest, the safe flooring conditions in the waiting and milking areas, the good cleanliness score of the animals, and the opportunity for the expression of natural behaviors.
The diagnosis also made it possible to identify priorities related to health, the mental state of the animals, thermal comfort, feeding management, milking routines, disease prevention, and procedures that may cause pain or stress.
More than just capturing a snapshot of the moment, the information forms a concrete basis for guiding the initial steps in the ESG journey. Each producer received an analysis highlighting their strengths, areas for improvement, and opportunities for development. Based on this feedback, the technical team will be able to prioritize actions and monitor progress over time.
Many of the identified improvements do not depend on large investments in infrastructure. They can begin with the adoption of protocols, review of routines, training of teams, organization of records, rational management, and closer technical monitoring. These measures can also improve herd health, human safety, milk quality, and farm efficiency.
"The producers' openness to discussing the topic was one of the most positive aspects of this first stage. Even on properties with different structures and routines, we found interest in understanding the indicators and a willingness to build possible improvements within each reality," highlights Bruno Palhares.
For Paulo Henrique Guimarães, the use of technology has brought the diagnosis closer to the daily routine of farms. "The assessment was not just a collection of information. During the visits, the application helped us organize the observations and talk to the producers about practices that could already be improved. This interaction in the field makes the guidance clearer and more applicable."
Science and technology at the service of those who produce.
The data collected by the application was consolidated on the PEC Map platform, from ESGpec. In addition to group analysis, the technology allows for the generation of individualized feedback and supports the technical team in defining priorities for each property. Artificial intelligence resources assist in personalizing the analyses and translating the results into understandable recommendations, always associated with the technical team's assessment and knowledge of the field reality.
"Projects like Dona Formosa's represent exactly what we believe: science and technology need to reach farms in a democratic, practical, and understandable way. The diagnosis organizes the evidence, while artificial intelligence helps transform the data into personalized guidance. The decision-making and development of the evolution plan continue to be done together with the technicians and producers," says Bruna Silper, CEO and co-founder of ESGpec.
With the completion of the initial assessments, Dona Formosa now has a structured foundation to guide the start of its ESG journey, monitor results, and define the next steps with its producers. Animal welfare is the gateway to a broader agenda that should gradually incorporate social, environmental, and management actions, respecting the priorities of the region and the reality of each farm.
About Dona Formosa
Founded in 1999, Dona Formosa manufactures dairy products and distributes partner brands. Its industrial plant is located in Águas Formosas, Minas Gerais, and its distribution center is in Belo Horizonte. The company's products serve restaurants, buffets, industrial kitchens, retail outlets, and large supermarket chains, combining quality, tradition, and commitment to its customers.
About ESGpec
ESGpec is a startup from Minas Gerais, Brazil, specializing in the development of digital solutions for diagnosing, monitoring, and managing sustainability in livestock farming. Its platforms support producers, technicians, dairies, and other organizations in evaluating animal welfare, ESG performance, and carbon footprint, transforming field data into information for decision-making.
About PHG Agrinvesti
PHG Agrinvesti is a mining company specializing in the planning, development, and operation of agribusiness projects. With over 25 years of experience in managing and consulting for companies and farms in various regions of Brazil and Paraguay, it is comprised of specialized and highly qualified professionals with backgrounds in Veterinary Medicine, Agronomy, and Animal Science.
