Success story: partnership between Rurale and ESGpec takes the BEA Score to the field and generates real learning

At the heart of the most significant transformations in Brazilian dairy farming is a partnership that unites technology, science, and the field: the union between Rurale and ESGpec . The result of this collaboration is more than just numbers—it's a real journey of evolution on dairy farms. And at the heart of this transformation is the BEA Score , an animal welfare assessment tool available in the ESGpec app, within the PEC Scores function.

This story recently gained a voice on the program Conexão Pecuária , hosted by journalist Pedro Ernesto Macedo , on the Conexões Agro channel. The episode, titled "Does animal welfare change milk quality?" , brought together experts and leading figures in the field to share how data, dialogue, and dedication are raising the standard of dairy production in Brazil. (You can watch the full program at the end of the article).

A simple tool for a complex challenge

Created by ESGpec, the BEA Score was created to make the concept of animal welfare measurable and applicable in Brazilian conditions. "We adapted international guidelines and transformed them into an accessible, clear, and useful tool for technicians and producers," explains Heloise Duarte , veterinarian and co-founder of ESGpec. "We wanted producers to understand that welfare is possible in any production system—whether pasture-based or confined—and that it doesn't necessarily require large investments."

More than just a tool, the BEA Score represents a turning point in how welfare is addressed on farms. As Heloise herself points out:

"This topic of well-being has always been very important to me. We tried to transform complex, technical indicators into something that gave technicians and producers a clear view of their progress on this journey. This was possible thanks to the collaboration with the professionals at Rurale, who helped us adapt the tool to the realities of the field. "

Rurale in the countryside: 211 farms, 3 states, lots of learning

Rurale took on the challenge of applying the BEA Score in the field and transforming it into concrete action. To date, the team has visited 211 farms in the states of Minas Gerais, Goiás, and Rio Grande do Sul , using the tool as a true "animal welfare check-up." The result was an average of almost 7 points out of a possible 10, with cases of significant improvement and valuable lessons learned.

" The most impactful part was seeing how the tool raises awareness among producers," says Jovana Azevedo of Rurale. "By evaluating points like waterer cleanliness or shade for animals, we were able to show how small improvements can have big impacts on production and herd health."

For Luiz Felipe , also from Rurale, the BEA Score represented a real turning point: "ESGpec managed to transform such an abstract topic into something we can apply in our daily farm routines. The BEA Score is like a real lesson—the checklist guides you along the way. We were able to show producers that animal welfare isn't rocket science. These are simple practices, many already adopted, but now recognized and organized. And, when we have a macro view of the farm, we can identify where to act to make the property more efficient—a true dairy enterprise that generates benefits for everyone involved. It was fantastic to see how something so technical can be transformed into a practical tool that truly engages producers and generates results."

Animal and human welfare: an inseparable connection

During the program, the concept of "One Welfare" emerged as a guiding principle. "It's impossible to have excellent animal welfare without a balanced environment for the people who work on the farm," Heloise emphasized. The tool is already paving the way for the implementation of the People Score , which assesses employee well-being. The proposal is clear: cross-reference human and animal data to guide farms toward more sustainable, efficient, and ethical decisions.

Milk quality: a direct reflection of well-being

With over a decade of experience in milk quality, Jovana emphasized that the most important factor in producing high-quality milk is employee training . "Often, employees perform tasks without understanding why. When they understand the impact of a simple action, everything changes," she said. Training, clarity, and management are the pillars highlighted as essential for transforming daily milking practices into tangible results.

Furthermore, a strong correlation was observed between farms with higher productivity and better BEA Scores , confirming that animal welfare goes far beyond talk — it translates into efficiency, quality and concrete results .

A promising future (and measured in data)

By 2025, Rurale expects to double the number of properties evaluated and begin the second cycle on existing participating farms. This will enable evolutionary comparisons , map regional progress , and even build sectoral benchmarks , demonstrating which practices are generating the best results in each region.

“The technology that transforms is the one that starts with people,” concludes Pedro Ernesto. The BEA Score has proven to be more than an index: it is a silent but powerful transformation tool that helps producers make smarter, more humane and sustainable decisions.

About the program

The episode "Does animal welfare change milk quality?" is part of the program Conexão Pecuária , hosted by journalist Pedro Ernesto Macedo , on the Conexões Agro channel, on Instagram . The following people participated in the episode:

• Heloise Duarte – Co-founder of ESGpec

• Jovana Azevedo and Luiz Felipe – Representing Rurale

• Celso Eduardo – Agronomist at Equilíbrio Rural

• Luiz Gustavo Pereira – Professor at the University of Copenhagen (Denmark)

The program addressed in a light, technical and inspiring way the importance of animal and human well-being for the sustainability of Brazilian dairy farming.