Animal Husbandry & Reproduction

The main objective of the group is to contribute to the development of efficient and sustainable animal production systems with a direct impact on agricultural production. This group combines applied and basic research with innovation to improve animal health and reproduction, nutrition, welfare and productivity, while minimising the environmental impact of livestock farms.

1. Development of new approaches to increase nutritional, reproductive and productive performance in livestock farms.
2. Study of interactions between nutritional and reproductive management, the microbiome and emission reduction in agricultural activities.
3. New strategies to improve animal health and welfare and reduce antibiotic use.

1. Optimisation of growth in breeding.
2. Improvement of livestock management and housing systems.
3. Understanding the interrelationships between embryonic and foetal programming, maternal nutrition, physiology and productivity.
4. Strategies to reduce the impact of heat stress on animal production.
5. Use of reproductive biotechnology to improve production efficiency in livestock farming.
6. Strategies to prevent twin pregnancies in dairy cattle.

Internationally recognised for their work in (i) nutrition and management of dairy herds to improve their sustainability, efficiency and profitability; (ii) implementation of strategies to mitigate the harmful effects of heat stress and twin pregnancies in dairy cattle; (iii) development of new fixed-time synchronisation protocols in dairy cows; (iv) their studies on embryonic and foetal programming during the last third of gestation.