Trechos

Summary

In this interview, Professor Luís Gustavo shares his journey from being a veterinarian to a professor focusing on sustainable animal production. He discusses his experience with modern technologies like Artificial Intelligence in dairy farming and the importance of internal skills alongside technology. He also talks about the 'Regenerative Awakening' community, which he co-founded, aiming to provide easy-to-use sustainability tools for farmers and promote a deeper connection with nature and the environment.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The program begins with the introduction of Eduardo and the guest Luiz Gustavo, a professor from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark.
• 🌱 Luiz Gustavo's background is in veterinary studies, with a focus on animal nutrition, particularly ruminants.
• 📚 He started his academic career teaching in Brazil before working for nearly 20 years at Embrapa, Brazil's agricultural research corporation.
• 🇺🇸 Gustavo pursued a sabbatical in the United States to study modern technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Precision Livestock Farming.
• 🧠 He highlights the importance of balancing internal awareness and external technology for effective farming, using a metaphor of a skilled worker using AI tools.
• 🌾 In Denmark, Gustavo teaches about animal production and sustainability, offering insights from an international perspective on Brazilian agriculture.
• 🐄 Luiz Gustavo discusses the challenges of the Brazilian dairy sector, pointing out the need for basic management practices like record-keeping.
• 🌍 He emphasizes the need for a regenerative approach to agriculture, where internal awareness of farmers is as important as adopting external technologies.
• 💡 Gustavo and his collaborators are developing tools to help farmers implement sustainable practices, including software that is free but requires active engagement.
• 🌳 The goal of their initiatives is to regenerate the soil and improve carbon retention, emphasizing sustainability over profit-driven motives.

Q & A

Who are the main participants in the conversation?

The main participants are Eduardo from Equilíbrio Rural, Pedro Ernesto, and Luiz Gustavo, a professor at the University of Copenhagen.

How did Luiz Gustavo start his career in agriculture?

Luiz Gustavo started as a veterinarian but quickly decided to work with production instead of clinical aspects. His background is in animal nutrition, particularly ruminant nutrition.

What was Luiz Gustavo's role at Embrapa, and why did he move to the United States?

Luiz Gustavo worked at Embrapa for nearly 20 years before taking a sabbatical in the U.S. to learn more about modern technologies, including artificial intelligence, because his team in Brazil struggled to handle the growing volume of research data.

What example does Luiz Gustavo give to illustrate the limitations of technology in agriculture?

Luiz Gustavo mentions a situation where a student was using Google Glass with AI for milking cows but struggled compared to an experienced worker, Amarildo, who performed the task better without the technology. He emphasizes that technology is ineffective if the person using it is not well-prepared internally.

What does Luiz Gustavo say about the role of internal well-being in using technology?

He highlights the importance of being in a good internal state when using technology, as this combination can lead to optimal results, contrasting with people who may rely solely on advanced tools without understanding the foundational aspects.

What are Luiz Gustavo's thoughts on agriculture in Denmark compared to Brazil?

He mentions that Denmark is much smaller than the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, yet Denmark has a significant agricultural influence. He also notes that Brazil has examples that are global references, though many farmers in Brazil still lack basic tools like technical record-keeping.

What challenges does Luiz Gustavo identify for Brazilian dairy farmers?

He points out that many dairy farmers in Brazil, including the more advanced ones, do not maintain technical records. He believes this basic 'rice and beans' approach is often neglected in favor of focusing on advanced technological solutions.

What is the 'Despertar Regenerativo,' and how does it relate to sustainable dairy farming?

The 'Despertar Regenerativo' is a community-driven initiative focused on inner awareness and holistic approaches to farming, aiming to integrate sustainability in dairy farming. It encourages producers to look inward to understand their farm's needs before applying technology.

What does Luiz Gustavo mean when he says, 'Don't think about selling carbon credits'?

He suggests that farmers should focus on building carbon in their soil rather than focusing on selling carbon credits. By working with nature and improving soil health, everything else will follow.

How does Luiz Gustavo envision the future of sustainable agriculture?

He believes the future lies in combining the right internal mindset with external technologies. The goal is not just to meet sustainability protocols but to create a balanced ecosystem where soil health leads to biodiversity, integration, and ultimately a more sustainable and productive agricultural system.