BEEFING UP THE BEEF IN BRAZIL

ROGER VORTHMANN serves on the board of directors of the North American Limousin Foundation, which oversees the registration of this beef breed. He recently accompanied a small group to Brazil to examine their beef production and discuss issues regarding the addition of Limousin beef characteristics to their native beef. ROGER explained the group visited the northern region around Londrina, Brazil. Here there are large ranch holdings on land cleared from the edge of the jungle which are producing primarily Nelori’ beef cattle. The area is tropical, so insects, mainly flies and ticks and diseases associated with them, are a big problem. The native Nelori’ cattle are white and nearly hairless which makes them well adapted to the climate. However, these cattle are not heavy meat producers compared to most North American breeds. ROGER explained that through embryo transplant the Limousin and Nelori’ cross breed cattle are being produced to evaluate the potential for greater beef production in Brazil. Just a one half cross can produce 6% greater carcass dress weight, ROGER noted.