• The project was launched within the framework of the 1st Edition of the Grupo Jorge Foundation Chair National Award for Talent and Innovation, during the Conference entitled “Transforming the future: innovation and technology in the pig sector”.
• Numerous experts and professionals have met to share knowledge about new technologies applied to the agri-food sector.

The Grupo Jorge Foundation Chair for Talent and Innovation has awarded €3,000 to a project that investigates pig feeding with the aim of making progress in this area. The traditional conference took place this morning in the Aula Magna of the Auditorium of the University of Zaragoza, and brought together teachers from different universities and professionals from leading companies and institutions in the sector who gave interesting presentations.

Olga Samper, president of the Grupo Jorge Foundation, presented the award to the project “Pig feed to improve nitrogen circularity in the region”, represented by Diego Nicolás Bottegal. The study was one of several finalists that investigate porcine salmonellosis and pigs’ intestinal health. The session included experts from the pig sector and presentations related to new technologies and human resources. Francisco Mur, director of R&D&I at Grupo Jorge, commented that “technology should help in the more difficult jobs, so it is important to adapt with new prototypes such as those that we are already testing.” For her part, Nerea González, head of the HR Department at Grupo Jorge, pointed out that there is a binomial that is giving excellent results: “a traditional profile of livestock production and treatment of animals combined with a profile that can contribute to organization, team leadership and automation systems.”

The meeting concluded with a round table discussion that addressed, in particular, the future of technology applied to the agri-food industry. The professionals set their sights on a horizon that is not quite long-term, but rather one aimed at resolving current challenges and the development of solutions that are useful in the future. Talent acquisition was also a focus of the discussion, which delved into the search for committed professionals with leadership skills that will provide role models for new recruits in the development of their work.

Talent and innovation, the epicentre of the Grupo Jorge Foundation Chair

The Grupo Jorge Foundation Chair for Talent and Innovation works to promote the creation of new knowledge in the meat industry, the agri-food sector, renewable energies and corporate social responsibility, among other areas. In addition, it promotes applied research in strategic areas such as smart farms, food chain sustainability and the use of simulation environments applied to various fields of interest.

The Grupo Jorge Foundation is a charitable institution whose objective is to positively impact the communities where Grupo Jorge operates. Grupo Jorge, based in Aragon, is one of the largest meat groups in Europe and ha been present in the energy and agricultural industries for almost 100 years