The Brazilian Cattle

Grass Beef

Around 60% of Brazil’s natural areas are under conservation

Image provided by Embrapa Monitoramento por SatĂŠlite

Brazilian Cattle

Well-managed pastures that are planted with trees are fundamental to attaining balance between the environment and production, providing a suitable means to the animals’ well-being.

Economic With its modern, competitive and sustainable techniques, Brazilian cattle breeding is among the most efficient sectors in the production of beef and milk in the world. Employing the Zebu breed as its main cattle herd, it has achieved significant production rates through its technical expertise and professionalization, resulting in a positive influence on the social, economic and environmental well-being of the country.

BEEF PRODUCTION The evolution of herds, slaughtering and beef production 571%

Scot Consultoria

475%

herd

slaughter

2011

2001

1991

1981

1971

1961

286%

beef production

The expressive increase in slaughter, in relation to the herd, was due to a 48.8% improvement in production.

The increase in beef production, in relation to slaughter, was due to a 17% rise in carcass weight.

MILK PRODUCTION 31.300 30.610

Scot Consultoria

29.948

Increase of one thousand metric tons in milk production in Brazil over the last ten years.

28.795 27.820 26.750 25,230 24.250

2012*

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

23.317

2004

2003

2002

22.635

22.860

Brazilian Cattle Breeding in Numbers: • The largest commercial cattle herd in the world, with over 180 million heads of cattle (ANUALPEC); • General slaughter rate of 23.6% (ANUALPEC); • The beef productive chain has a turnover of US$ 170 billion/year (Neves, M.F. et al, 2012); • The sector provides raw material to 50 industrial segments.

• It is responsible for a Balance of Trade surplus of R$ 5 billion; • Pays annual taxes of R$ 16.5 billion (Neves, M.F. et al,

2012);

• Retains an approximate 20% market share, exporting an average of 1.5 million tons to more than 140 countries; •In 30 years, Brazilian production has tripled – from 3 million tons to 10.3 million; • As of 2010, the cattle breeding sector has contributed R$ 242 billion to the Brazilian GDP or 7% of the country’s total GDP (CEPEA-USP/CNA); • In the last 15 years – from 1996 to 2010 – the 43% growth in the cattle breeding sector surpassed the 35% growth of the national GDP (Neves, M.F. et al, 2012); • The last time the cattle breeding sector was given subsidies was in the 1980s, a time when incentives were given to occupy the Amazon borders.

Social Nutritional safety with reliable food: With predictions that the world population will reach nine billion by 2050 (UN), in addition to catering to 925 million starving people in the world (FAO), Brazilian cattle breeding has the challenge of doubling its production in the next thirty years, guaranteeing access to nutritional food and incorporating a sustainable culture into its productive system.

Brazil’s vocation for cattle breeding and the Zebu’s efficiency in pasture systems are guarantees of a supply of foods rich in protein and other nutrients that are essential to human health.

Last may, OIE (The World Organization for Animal Health) granted Brazil the status of irrelevant risk for BSE (Mad Cow Disease), not to mention that meat and milk produced through pasture grazing still have a high concentration of omega 3 in relation to omega 6.

That represents safe food with quality and accessible prices for millions of people in Brazil and all

Photo: Stock Photo Frig. Tatuibi

over the world.

With 2.6 million cattle breeding facilities (CEPEA), of which 85% qualify as small properties (INCRA/PNRA), the sector generates 7 million direct jobs. For example, the milk sector generates around 1.5 million jobs with its 1.3 million cattle breeding facilities (Censo Agropecuário – Agriculture and Livestock Census); Constant innovation and an organized structure for transferring technology are elements that allow especially small and medium producers access to tools that provide economic means to their activities, so these producers can constantly invest in more modern and sustainable practices.

The genetic quality improvement of the herd, chiefly on small and mediumsized farms, is a fundamental factor in the verticalization of Brazilian cattle farming.

Environmental The introduction of Zebu cattle in Brazil, more than 100 years ago, as well as the dedication of its producers - supported by universities, institutions and research centers - have been decisive in the selection of cattle and the development of more productive systems. Verticalization has attracted more attention in the last three decades, with bigger investments in management, genetics, nutrition and handling.

The verticalization of Brazilian Livestock: Slaughter rate

Average weight of carcasses

Milk production

30 years ago

12,2%

200 kg

11,162,254 (mil liters)

Today

23,6%

270 kg

23,193,984 (mil liters)

The country is starting to form a new reality for the sector. Public policies for low-carbon cattle breeding and farmers’ commitment to implementing good practices on farms are among the main topics in the future agenda for the industry.

Genetics Imported from India in the nineteenth century, Zebu breeds are critical to the success of livestock grazing. With high adaptability and increasing rates of productivity, Zebu cattle today represents over 80% of the national herd.

Breeding technologies are among the most developed in the last decade – AI (Artificial Insemination), IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) and ET (Embryo Transfer) are tools that accelerate genetic enhancement.

Pasture production system Livestock grazing is an important ally in mitigating greenhouse gases. Recent research shows that wellmanaged pastures can sequester large amounts of carbon from the atmosphere, a deciding factor for a positive outcome in the sector. (Embrapa Seropédica) Investment in the quality of pastures combined with integration techniques such as crop-livestock and crop-livestock-forest systems, contribute significantly to the voluntary commitment of the Brazilian Government to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases by up to 38.9% by 2020. (Vanderley Porfírio - Embrapa) The silvopastoral system – or agrosilvopasture – in addition to generating greater economic sustainability for the producer, also allows the industry to contribute to the forest supply chain through the production of a new product in pasture areas, bringing substantial increases in the distribution of wealth and the creation of direct and indirect jobs through improvements in the new supply chains.

(Vanderley Porfírio – Embrapa Florestas) The silvopastoral or agrosilvopasture system is an important measure in expanding the economic sustainability of cattle farming, in addition to contributing to a reduction of gases and the greenhouse effect.

100 95

60

2

90 85

50

80 75

number of cattle whose emissions will be neutralized

40

65 60 55

30

50 45

Tons.ha-1

C fixed to wood in ton.

(250 trees/ha)

70

Quantity of trees

trees necessary to neutralize the emissions from one cow

40 35

20

30 25 19

15

10 40

10 5

60

77

92

106

119

131

143

153

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

0

0 1

2

3

Age of the trees in the agrosilvopasture system

Embrapa Floresta

20

Pastures with trees influence the temperature of the environment, generate comfort for animals and increase the volume of green mass, also increasing the recycling of nutrients, encouraging natural pest control, and many other additional benefits, such as the removal of CO2 from the atmosphere – native trees allow for increased protection of fauna and flora, widening the biodiversity in the system. (Vanderley Porfírio - Embrapa). In Brazil, 95% of the herd is raised on pasture.

Shaded pasture has contributed decisively to maintaining the biodiversity of the productive system, creating a protective environment for fauna and flora.

Conclusion Brazilian cattle farming is one of the most important sectors for providing food safety and sustainability to the country. In addition to producing the most noble of foods, it fosters association with other chains and helps preserve native species. Planting trees on pasture land places Brazilian Cattle farming on the path to becoming a huge woodland, integrating production with the fauna and flora of various Brazilian biomes.

As it becomes more modern and elevates its productivity rates, it provides areas for the expansion of agriculture, avoiding the occupation of new frontiers and complying with the strict Brazilian Forest Code.

The sector has a wide variety of technology tools that guarantee continuous introduction of new solutions in line with the concept of green economy. Investing in the specialization of labor and efficient

public

policies

such as credit lines for the genetic enhancement of cattle and the recovery of pastures will contribute to a continuously modern, competitive and sustainable cattle farming industry.

The Brazilian Zebu Breeders Association (Associação Brasileira dos Criadores de Zebu - ABCZ), with its 78-year history, which has 20,000 partners and represents cattle farming in Brazil. It is the entity responsible for keeping genealogic records, promoting and providing the genetic enhancement of Zebu races.

It also supports scientific research, higher education and technological advancements; advocates business practices and prospecting new markets; articulating farming with the remaining links of the beef and milk productive chain; providing technical support to associates and representing farmers’ interest with government and society. The international promotion of Zebu breeds is implemented through the Brazilian Cattle project of the entity’s International Department. ABCZ is the first Brazilian cattle farming association to be certified with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards.

Every year, the entity registers more than 600,000 head of Zebu cattle throughout Brazil. It features the most extensive Zebu data bank in the world, with over 12 million animals recorded. Through the Zebu Genetic Enhancement Program (PMGZ - Programa de Melhoramento Genético de Zebuínos), the entity supports the genetic enhancement of over 3,600 herds spread around the country. ABCZ is present in 24 states and the Federal District through its Local Technical Offices.

Brazil /

For more information, please visit: www.abcz.org.br ABCZ is also present on the leading social networks.

Join us on:

Abcz Brasil

@ABCZBrasil

Photos: Jadir Bison / Fábio Fatori

ABCZ and Zebu