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Systems and technologies of animal production

Director:

Prof. Nemesio Fernández Martínez. University Professor. Dr. Agronomist Engineer

Researchers:

Prof. Pilar Molina Pons. University Professor. PhD in Pharmacy

Prof. Cristòfol Peris Ribera. University Professor. Dr. Agronomist Engineer

Prof. Martín Rodríguez García. University School Professor. Dr. Agronomist Engineer.

Prof. Salvador Calvet Sanz. University holder. Dr. Agronomist Engineer

Prof. Fernando Estellés Barber. University holder. Dr. Agronomist Engineer.

Dr. Eduardo Rosa González. Margarita Salas Scholarship

Researchers in training

Patricia Carulla. Veterinary Lic.

Emilio Blasco. Veterinary Lic.

Pablo Ferrer. Agronomist Engineer.

Paloma Galicia Quintanilla

Jennifer Giraldo

Ion Perez. Agronomist Engineer. Master in Animal Production

Technical staff

Mari Carmen Beltrán. Agricultural Technical Engineer. Master in Animal Production

José Luis Palomares. Agricultural Technological Engineer.

José Vicente Martí. Agricultural Technological Engineer. Master in Animal Production

Carlos Vicente Martín. Agronomist Engineer

Elena Escobar Saval. Agricultural Tec Engineer and Lic, C. and T. of Food.

Elena Sanchis. Agronomist Engineer.

Yolanda Hidalgo Latorre, Agricultural Technical Engineer

Food quality and safety
This line addresses the study of parameters that define the quality of milk from different livestock species (cow, sheep and goat) and different factors related to intrinsic characteristics of the animals and livestock management that can influence quality. Several classic milk quality characteristics are studied: physical-chemical parameters, chemical composition and hygienic-sanitary quality. In recent years, the study of the presence of inhibitors and their detection methods in milk and dairy products (cheese and yogurt) has been in-depth. The effect of the presence of antibiotics in the production process and characteristics of yogurt and sheep and goat cheese is also studied. Specifically, work is also being done to improve the production and quality of milk from the Murciano-Granadina breed and the Guirra sheep breed native to the Valencian Community.
Mechanical milking technology and animal production systems:
New materials and parameters are developed and tested to improve milking conditions and automation. Milking routines are also studied and computer applications are implemented for the calculation, management and maintenance of milking equipment by sector technicians. In the context of the Murciano-Granadina breed selection scheme, our group collaborates with CITA-IVIA and the AMURVAL association to carry out the registration of new characters (emission kinetics, morphology, mastitis) and the automation of dairy control. The group participates in maintaining the biodiversity of native sheep (Guirra breed) and in the use of by-products to feed small ruminants, a use that eliminates the potential risk of environmental contamination and reduces business costs and the carbon footprint. of productive activity.
Livestock and environment

The objective is to adapt livestock farming to environmental demands. The recording and measurement of atmospheric pollutants (ammonia, greenhouse gases and particles) that are generated in livestock farms and related facilities (manure storage ponds) is carried out, and the relationship between these and the factors inherent to production is carried out. animal. Excrement, manure and slurry are also characterized from an environmental perspective and for their energy recovery (biogas).

Animal welfare

We work in the field of animal welfare engineering, from the point of view of optimization and control of environmental conditions inside the farm. It is about optimizing the breeding conditions for the animals, addressing the design and management of the facilities. This line of research is developed jointly with CITA-IVIA through collaboration in research projects and contracts.

Precision livestock

This line deals with the development of technological applications to improve livestock production. The use of sensors at the level of the animal and the environment is addressed here to generate information that allows optimizing the management, well-being and environmental efficiency of livestock farms.

Milk quality analysis service

The milk analysis laboratory of the Polytechnic University of Valencia (LICOVAL), located in the ICTA, performs the functions of an Interprofessional Dairy Laboratory in the area of ​​the Valencian Community. This activity is covered by the agreement that has existed between the UPV and the Interprofessional Dairy Association of the Valencian Community since 2000, an association formed by representatives of the industrial sector and the cow, goat and sheep milk producing sector.
The laboratory has been accredited since 2012 by ENAC (964/LE1755) to carry out analyzes of cow, goat and sheep milk. The accredited tests are the physical chemical composition of milk (fat, protein, lactose and dry lean matter), the somatic cell count, the germ count, the detection of growth inhibitors and the cryoscopic point. Urea and other parameters are also analyzed (presence of colostrum, milk mixtures, physical-chemical analysis of cream, yogurt or kefir, etc.).
Based on the results of these samples, the industries establish the price of milk to pay the farmers, so all the analytical results obtained are sent daily to both the industry and the farmers themselves.
The laboratory has been, since 2012, the Official Laboratory of the Department of Agriculture. It also carries out transfer, advice and training activities for farmers and industrialists in all aspects related to the quality of raw milk and the process of taking and transporting milk samples. In order to perform the aforementioned functions, LICOVAL has qualified personnel and automatic equipment necessary for analysis.