Startup releases unprecedented welfare data on 100 herds

The BEA Score, a gamified animal welfare assessment developed by the Minas Gerais startup ESGpec and made available free of charge to producers through the "Regenerative Awakening" project, was implemented on 100 dairy farms in partnership with Rurale. Initial results show an average score of 6.9 out of a possible 10 points.

ESGpec, a company focused on the ESG agenda in agribusiness, trained the Rurale team to apply the BEA Score, between April and September 2024, on 100 farms located in Goiás, Minas Gerais and Rio Grande do Sul.

The BEA Score is an assessment tool available on the ESGpec app for Android and iOS. According to Bruna Silper, co-founder of ESGpec and PhD in Animal Science, "the approach uses interactive elements and assigns a score based on the five domains of animal welfare: freedom from hunger, thirst, and malnutrition; freedom from discomfort; freedom from pain, injury, and disease; freedom to express natural behaviors; and freedom from fear and stress." The solution enables continuous analysis, providing producers with immediate feedback and access to technical materials.

Concrete results on farms

The 100 farms evaluated with the BEA Score achieved an average score of 6.9 out of 10 possible points. The interpretation of the results highlighted critical areas, such as animal health, which averaged 58% of the total possible points, highlighting the importance of improving health control and preventive measures. In contrast, the Nutrition and Environment domains were the best rated, achieving 73% and 79% of the total possible points in each area, respectively.

Another relevant finding is the relationship between animal welfare and productivity. Farms were grouped according to average productivity per cow, and those producing more than 25 kg of milk per cow/day achieved an average BEA Score of 7.5 points, higher than farms with lower productivity. This suggests that animal welfare may be associated with production efficiency. "Producers reported that completing the form was a learning experience, revealing aspects that might otherwise go unnoticed in daily management," comments Jovana Azevedo, zootechnician and partner at Rurale.

Regenerative Awakening: Expanding Access to Sustainability

ESGpec is also responsible for the Regenerative Awakening project, which uses specific technologies such as the BEA Score and PEC Calc (a carbon footprint and enteric methane calculator) free of charge to producers. These solutions allow farms to monitor and plan strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve management. The ESG Farm Score, another diagnostic included in the initiative, measures the level of adherence to sustainable procedures and monitors the progress of farms in meeting the ESG agenda.

These tools are used by small and medium-sized producers, offering free assessments. By adopting these practices, producers can identify areas for improvement, implement more efficient practices, and optimize farm results.

Next steps: Expanding knowledge and the collaborative network

Regenerative Awakening aims to go beyond providing applications. The project aims to create a collaborative network between producers, technicians, and experts. The next phase will focus on creating a database and expanding a knowledge community so all parties can share experiences. As more farms join the project, the innovations are expected to help align the agricultural sector with global trends in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and more effectively communicate practices adopted in the field.

Impact on the image of farms and economic value

Adopting sustainable practices can improve the perception of farms among consumers who are aware of social and environmental responsibility. Farms that use the BEA Score and participate in the Regenerative Awakening program demonstrate a commitment to animal welfare and reducing environmental impacts, which can strengthen their image and add economic value, attracting conscious consumers.

About ESGpec

ESGpec is a startup focused on integrating technology and sustainability in agribusiness, offering solutions that help producers monitor and improve their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. With a multidisciplinary team, ESGpec develops tools for Brazilian agribusiness.

About Rurale

Rurale is a consulting firm specializing in milk production and quality and participated in the implementation of the BEA Score, helping to standardize animal welfare assessments.

About Regenerative Awakening

Despertar Regenerativo is a project that expands access to tools focused on sustainability and animal welfare in the dairy sector. Using methodologies such as the BEA Score, the ESG Farm Score, and the PEC Calc carbon footprint calculator, producers can evaluate and improve their practices to further optimize their activities. To access these resources, interested parties can register at despertarregenerativo.com.br and follow the instructions received via email and WhatsApp.