Dairy Farming
Over its 20-year history, the Instituto BioSistêmico (IBS) has implemented more than 80 dairy farming projects, delivering approximately 75,000 technical assistance services across 16 Brazilian states and reaching more than 24,000 producers, most of whom are family farmers.
Environmental conservation is a priority in all projects carried out by IBS. Technical recommendations are designed to help producers prevent and minimize environmental impacts while improving production systems. Among the practices encouraged are reducing the use of agrochemicals, establishing and protecting legal reserve areas, conserving soil through ground cover and terracing, and protecting water springs.
The promotion of animal health and welfare is also a key component of the Institute’s work. Healthy and well-managed herds are more productive, require fewer veterinary treatments, and contribute to the production of high-quality milk.
By improving reproductive management, IBS supports the genetic improvement of herds, resulting in more resilient and productive animals. Greater reproductive efficiency also contributes to environmental sustainability, as it increases productivity without increasing feed consumption or greenhouse gas emissions, since the same number of animals can produce more efficiently.
IBS teams are committed to bringing technical knowledge and innovative technologies to rural producers, helping them improve production, productivity, and milk quality. As a result, producers can increase their income and strengthen the long-term viability of their businesses. Economic viability is one of the fundamental pillars of sustainability.
All of these actions are interconnected. Each aspect influences the others, and IBS works from a systemic perspective—reflected in its name, BioSistêmico—viewing the farm as an integrated living system. For this reason, the Institute’s teams promote sustainable production by recommending improvements that consider all dimensions of the property and their interactions.