Research at Brazilian Dairy Symposium Focuses on Nutrition
Researchers and students submitted 108 abstracts for the 15th South Brazil Dairy Cattle Symposium, known as SBSBL, which will be held in Chapecó, Santa Catarina, between October 6th and 8th. Following assessment by 45 reviewers, 92 submissions were accepted for presentation.
Animal supplementation accounted for the largest group, with 23 abstracts. Forages and pastures followed with 21. A further 19 studies addressed animal production, welfare and management, while 16 concerned animal health. Together, these four fields represented 79 submissions, or about 73% of the total.
Other subjects attracted smaller numbers of studies. Bovine reproduction was covered by ten abstracts, and product quality by seven. Human-resources management and rural labour accounted for four submissions. Sustainability in milk and beef production, and economics and value chains, each had three. Applied biotechnology for milk and beef production, as well as innovation and automation, each appeared in one abstract.
The submissions came from participants associated with institutions across southern Brazil. They included Udesc, Unicentro, Uniarp, Epagri, the Instituto Federal Catarinense, Unoesc, Unipampa, Furb, the Federal University of Santa Maria, URI, Unisul, UnoChapecó, UniCruz, Cooperativa Central Gaúcha and the University of São Paulo. Epagri projects are linked to research centres in Canoinhas, Lages, Chapecó and Campos Novos; Udesc and the Instituto Federal Catarinense are represented through several campuses.
Gabriela Cristina Guzatti, a ruminant-nutrition researcher at Epagri's Centre for Family Agriculture Research and coordinator of the scientific-papers committee, said the symposium gives students an opportunity to present early results and meet researchers and professionals working directly in the sector. The approved abstracts may be included in the symposium proceedings if they are presented as posters. Poster assessments will take place on October 7th, the second day of the event.
Three studies will receive an honourable mention from Nucleovet. The authors of the five highest-rated abstracts will be invited to submit full versions to Revista Agropecuária Catarinense, although publication will remain subject to the journal's editorial review. The programme will also include 15 lectures on production systems, health and reproduction, management, milk quality and high-performance nutrition, delivered by researchers and professionals from Brazil and abroad.
Daniel Augusto Barreta, chair of the SBSBL scientific committee, said the studies add to the lectures by bringing results from universities, research centres and the production sector. The 2026 edition coincides with the SBSBL's 15th anniversary and Nucleovet's 55th anniversary, which will be marked on October 9th. The Chapecó programme will also include the 5th South Brazil Beef Cattle Forum and the Feira do Leite, an event focused on contacts between companies and professionals.
