Alltech, a global leader in animal health and nutrition, has signed six research alliances in Latin America with four universities and two institutes linked to agricultural research from Brazil, Honduras and Mexico. These research alliances bring together leading experts in their respective fields and the necessary resources to drive industry transformation.
Throughout the world, Alltech has successfully collaborated with top academic institutions to build research alliances, find long-term answers to key issues facing agricultural industries through science and educate the next generation of scientists. In Latin America, the new research alliances announced by the company are between Alltech and El Zamorano Pan-American Agricultural School in Honduras; the National Institute of Forest, Agricultural and Livestock Research (INIFAP) in Mexico; the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV) in Brazil; University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil; the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC) in Brazil; and the São Paulo Agency for Agribusiness Technology (APTA) in Brazil.
Representatives of these six research entities came together at the Latin America Research Alliances Meeting, held April 14 in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil, to collaborate on the development of studies and exchange ideas regarding innovation within the region.
“We expanded the alliances in Latin America with the aim of using innovation to enhance livestock production in the region while meeting specific local requirements,” said Aidan Connolly, Alltech’s chief innovation officer, during the Latin America Research Alliances Meeting. “Furthermore, the project promotes technical knowledge exchange and identifies new talent."
Driving innovation in Latin America
The research alliances in Latin America at each university/institute will focus on specific key areas that address emerging challenges in the region.
"With the development of this variety of studies in the Latin American region, we are making strides in laying a solid information foundation that will facilitate and increase agribusiness production,” said Guilherme Minozzo, Alltech's vice president for Latin America. “The results achieved will certainly improve the global industry, thanks to the generation of new technologies."
In Brazil, Alltech initiated two research alliances last year with agreements signed with the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV) and the São Paulo Agency for Agribusiness Technology (APTA), which are driving research in the poultry and pig sectors, and beef sector, respectively. Also in this territory, new alliances will start in May, one of them with the purpose of seeking improvements in milk productivity and quality using Alltech technologies as a result of an agreement signed with the University of São Paulo. In addition to this, the Federal University of Santa Catarina will be responsible for developing the first research aquaculture project in Latin America, within the Alltech program, assessing the organic mineral and DHA requirements in tilapia.
Thanks to the recently signed agreement with Alltech, El Zamorano Pan-American Agricultural School in Honduras is in the process of defining the line of research and is optimistic about the possibility of generating new technologies for the production sector.
“The goal is to develop studies in our five areas: aquaculture, poultry, swine, beef and dairy cattle,” said Isidro Matamoros, associate professor of beef cattle and animal reproduction at Zamorano University, during the meeting in Brazil. “From the economic and technical resources provided by Alltech, we want to expand the knowledge on biotechnology to enhance and increase sustainable production."
In Mexico, the National Institute of Forest, Agricultural and Livestock Research will coordinate research on the application of organic minerals and antioxidants that may contribute to improving the quality of pork.
Global research alliances
Alltech has established more than 25 research alliances with leading universities, institutions and commercial partners around the world.
"In China, we have 12 alliances, and are working hard to develop projects relating to food quality, especially related to milk and meat,” said Connolly. “Since these projects support the development of the Chinese government’s agricultural policy, and the food sector’s competitiveness, it provides a roadmap for our efforts in Latin America."
Alltech has signed six research alliances in Latin America with four universities and two institutes linked to agricultural research from Brazil, Honduras and Mexico. These research alliances bring together leading experts in their respective fields and the necessary resources to drive industry transformation.
