PROVACUNO has presented the Polytechnic University of Valencia with a sculpture in recognition of the work, dedication, and commitment of its researchers in their contribution to improving the sustainability of beef cattle farming. Those present at the ceremony included Constanza Rubio, Director of the Higher Technical School of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Valencia; Noelia Ibáñez, Head of Studies; Vicent Estruch, Deputy Director of Quality; Mª Ángeles Castillo, Deputy Director of Faculty; Xabier Díaz de Otálora, Postdoctoral Researcher at ICTA; Fernando Estellés, Professor in the Department of Animal Science; and Alejandro Gutiérrez, Deputy Director of PROVACUNO.
This sculpture, created and painted by the artist Dani Menor (who sculpted all the cows that made up the Cow Gallery project), symbolizes the union of these two worlds: research and sustainable animal production.
PROVACUNO’s collaboration with the UPV research and teaching team dates back to 2019, when the Interprofessional Board of Directors agreed to implement the Carbon Neutral Beef Cattle 2050 strategy, which focused on research, the adoption of good environmental practices, improved productivity, and collaboration with the Spanish scientific community.
Within the framework of this strategy, three key projects were developed: the Codes of Good Practice for Livestock Farming, the Meat Industry, and Retail. The REMEDIA Network, a Spanish scientific network connecting researchers and experts dedicated to mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the agroforestry, agricultural, and livestock sectors, actively collaborated on the first of these projects. Some of its members are part of the faculty at the Polytechnic University of Valencia.
Currently, PROVACUNO collaborates with the Polytechnic University of Valencia on three different initiatives:
• A project on agro-composting, in which the Miguel Hernández University of Elche has also participated, resulting in the development of a Guide to Best Available Techniques for the Agro-composting of Beef Cattle Manure and an app called PROVACUNO DSS Manure, which allows for the categorization of farms and their manure based on information about its management.
• A project to calculate the water footprint of beef cattle, which also includes the participation of the Basque Center for Climate Change, BC3, and whose main objective is to quantify the water footprint of beef cattle in Spain using different metrics.
• Its technical contribution to the European program Sustainable Beef (SEUB), which PROVACUNO is developing together with its Belgian partner APAQ-W, aims to raise public awareness of the sustainability of the beef sector and inform the sector about tools that can improve the sustainability of its farms and industries (such as Codes of Good Environmental Practice).
Other Provacuno Initiatives in the Academic Field
Provacuno’s relationship with the academic and scientific community extends to several initiatives, such as the PROVACUNO Chair of Research in Animal Protein, Nutrition, and Health at the Catholic University of Murcia. Launched in January of last year, its objective is the ongoing development of research, knowledge transfer, dissemination, teaching, and innovation activities related to beef as a natural protein source, its maturation processes, and other related topics. The aim is to generate advancements that improve product quality, optimize production processes, and promote its positive impact on human health.
Also noteworthy is the PROVACUNO Campus, a space for university students interested in the beef cattle sector. Launched by the interprofessional organization in collaboration with the Vet+i Foundation in October 2025, the PROVACUNO Campus’s mission is to bridge the gap between academia and industry, train professionals committed to the sector’s future, highlight career opportunities, and bring the realities of the industry closer to students. This initiative is aimed at students pursuing degrees in fields such as Veterinary Medicine, Biology, Food Science and Technology, and Agricultural Engineering, among others.
Through this symbolic act, PROVACUNO demonstrates its commitment to the academic world and highlights the need for a strong relationship between the industry and research centers and universities. This relationship is essential for improving the sector’s competitiveness and profitability through research and innovation, as well as for enhancing the environmental impact and social repercussions of our industry.
