PROJECT R&D+I

TITLE
MODELMEAT - MODEL OF ENVIRONMENTAL OPTIMIZATION AND PRODUCT QUALITY FOR
SERVICES TO SUPPORT THE COMPETITIVENESS OF EXTENSIVE ANIMAL PRODUCTION
ROW AGENTS

HIGHLIGHTS
Development of a model and a decision support system for the sustainable management of
extensive animal production

ABSTRACT
The main goal of the project is to develop a decision support system for integrated sustainability
management in the extensive livestock production sector. In the context of extensive farming, the
ModelMeat results will be used by meat and dairy producers directly as well as by companies in
the agri-food industry with such producers as suppliers.

ModelMeat is a partnership between Terraprima - Servios Ambientais and Escola Superior de

Biotecnologia of Universidade Catlica Portuguesa, aiming at developing a model for sustainability
management in the extensive meat industry.

The project has three components: (1) For the animal, a model based on the Dynamic Energy
Budget theory will be developed. Such model simulates the feeding, growth, maintenance and
reproduction dynamics of the animal and will allow to estimate the animal performance, the
characteristics of the resulting products (meat and milk) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. (2)
Upstream, management and feed practices will be characterized. Practices, such as consumption
of materials, energy and food produced outside the farm, will be characterized economically and
environmentally by means of a parametric Life Cycle Assessment. Such approach will allow to
obtain indirect GHG emissions. Furthermore, a method will be developed to estimate pasture
productivity and quality through aerial photography and satellite imagery complemented by in situ
measurements. (3) Downstream, products will be characterized in terms of nutritional, quality,
safety and sensorial aspects. The consumers willingness to pay will be assessed.

Initially, the model is calibrated using data from the Alentejo region. However, the project will
establish reproducible data collection, modeling and synthesis methods for other regions. A
prototype computer tool for model implementation will also be developed.

KEYWORDS
Sustainability, Extensive Livestock Production, Meat Production, Milk Production, Life Cycle Assessment

PROMOTERS / PARTNERS
Escola Superior de Biotecnologia Universidade Catlica Portuguesa (coordenador); Terraprima - Servios
Ambientais
 PROJECT R&D+I

FINANCING PROGRAM EXECUTION DATE GLOBAL BUDGET

COMPETE2020 2016-2019 263 317,93

CONTACTS E-MAIL PHONE

Paula Teixeira pcteixeira@porto.ucp.pt +351 22 55 800 01
Manuela Pintado mpintado@porto.ucp.pt +351 22 55 800 00