The Expansion of Zebu Genetics

Created in 2005 by ABCZ, in partnership with APEX - Agencia de Promoção das Exportações e Investimentos (Exports and Investments Promotions Agency) - Brazilian Cattle has already participated in 33 fairs and over 7 trade missions throughout the world, taking Brazilian Zebu genetics and tropical beef and milk production technology to more than 15 countries. The project is supported by the principal national companies in the sectors of embryos, semen, animals for reproduction, trading, seeds for pasture, animal nutrition, and veterinary products and equipment.

The consortium companies exported around US$ 60 million to more than 25 countries in 2007, increasing sales by 126% over the previous year. Sales of semen grew 56% in 2007, reaching 162,946 doses, compared with 104,774 doses in 2006. Concerning the revenue generated by semen sales there was a raise of 90% in relation to 2006 with a total of nearly US$1 million in 2007, against US$ 480 thousand in 2006.

Brazil has low cost beef and milk production technology based on pasture and environmental balance. The high technological level employed in the systems of production ensures the competitiveness of the Brazilian product.

New technologies like IVF, cloning and sexing are now part of the day-to-day life of the biotechnology companies, making the country a reference for animal reproduction.

The main axis of world food production is increasingly intensifying in the tropical regions of the planet. And it is exactly in this environment that the Zebu demonstrates its most important characteristics, such as: hardiness, easily tolerating heat and also endo and ecto-parasites; adaptability, converting low quality forage into milk and meat; easy handling, requiring simple, rustic facilities.

Zebu meat is low in fat, therefore is healthier, accordingly to the requirements of the modern consumer. In addition to being more economical, milk produced from pasture is also healthier, without the presence of medicines and hormones used in countries with cold climates.

This is why the Zebu is increasingly sought by rearers in the four corners of the world and the ABCZ is proof of this, having received approximately 700 international visitors in 2007. Farmers and businesspeople are constantly visiting Brazil, interested in taking to their countries “the solution” for more efficient, competitive cattle rearing, naturally balanced with the environment.

In addition to direct sales of products, this exchange offers great integration between breeders from various parts of the world, increasing knowledge and the exchange of information and experience.

In 2008, Brazilian Cattle continues to visit and narrow trade relations with huge international markets, including the United States, Australia, Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica and Colombia. Besides participation in fairs, Brazilian Cattle will participate in the SIAL 2008 - the Global Food Marketplace in France, together with ABIEC - Brazilian Beef Exporters Association. By means of an intense work of marketing and promotion, Brazilian Cattle is helping to turn Brazil into a powerful supplier of high quality products and services, able to offer the most profitable genetic package for tropical lands.