Feature The Brangus Opportunity in Costa Rica and Central America
I
recently returned from judging the International Nelore & Gyr show in Guapilis, Costa Rica, a beautiful country with good cattle! Cattlemen and producers gathered to attend a great event and observe tremendous genetics of Brahman, Nelore and Gyr. It was outstanding to see their growing interest in composite breeds such as Brangus, which provides excellent opportunities for breeders here in the U.S.
Marcoes Borges recently had the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica to judge the International Nelore and Gyr Shows, but was also able to spend some time meeting and visiting with area producers.
46 | november / december 2012 Brangus Journal
by Marcos BORGES
While on my trip in Costa Rica, good friends on the show management team provided us the opportunity to display two red Brangus animals during an intermission in the Nelore show and talk about the opportunities the Brangus breed could provide We spoke about the strengths of our breed and emphasized that Brangus and Zebu cattle can complement each other creating a hybrid that can meet their needs for quality and adaptability. The concept was well received by a crowd of 200 breeders and local cattlemen. Opportunities like these allow for the Brangus breed to become more prominent in Central America. We were also able to attend the first Costa Rican Brangus field day with our friends Juan and Miguel Soto. After a three-hour picturesque, curvy drive we arrived at the event site, each twist and turn of the tropical roads providing postcard worthy scenes. During our drive, Juan Soto told me about their new retail butcher shop that specializes in providing Brangus beef. The shop is even called “Brangus”. Juan mentioned they are having a difficult time finding animals to supply his growing demand. He believes paying up to a 20 percent premium for the Brangus steers will help to increase the supply of Brangus calves, which will provide a larger market to supply Brangus genetics. The host of the field day was the Oscar Villegas Ranch. They presented a very high-class event where Brangus genetics were well represented. Here the Brangus breed is showing their inherent ability to adapt to this very, very hot and humid climate. I was able to meet and visit with many breeders and would like to relay their valid comments and concerns about the breed. Breeders in Costa Rica pointed out that some of our bloodlines have too much hair causing these animals to suffer more heat stress. They also seem to have a difficult time breeding and adapting to the tropics. It was also emphasized they would like to see more Brangus animals with more skin and more Brahman and Nelore influence. Producers’ rationale is that animals with more skin have better transpiration and will adapt better to their environment. In addition, they commented that when they attend the show in Houston they see well-fitted and tremendous animals. However, they do not agree with the judges’ preferences for more Angus-looking animals. They would like to see winning cattle with more Brangus breed characteristics. After the field day, we returned back to the show that evening in time to see red Brangus embryo calves produced by the University of Costa Rica. The university presented three very