9 May 2024
Brazilian breeders of Zebu cattle and other experts will visit South Africa from 28 May to 5 June to establish and strengthen trade relations. They will then visit Angola to meet farmers there.
According to Raquel Borges, coordinator of the Brazilian Cattle Association, the visit is being conducted in consultation with their embassy and in partnership with the South African Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS).
It takes the form of a trade mission during which farms, producers, cooperatives, companies linked to the livestock sector and other agricultural institutions will be visited and introduced to the benefits of Zebu breeds in beef and milk production.
The Brazilian delegation will also speak about their production technologies and exchange ideas with South African producers with the aim of unlocking possible synergies and business opportunities for both countries.
The breeds represented by delegates include Gir, Girolando, Nelore, Guzerá, Brahman, Sindi and Tabapuã.
Programme
Farmers and companies working with Zebu breeding material will be part of the trade mission. They include companies selling genetic material (semen and embryos), live animals, machinery and equipment, as well as companies specialising in animal health, pasture seed and animal nutrition.
After the opening ceremony on 30 May at Brazil’s consulate in Pretoria, presentations and a roundtable discussion will be held. The delegation will visit the Agricultural Research Council and possibly a vaccine manufacturer the following day.
On 3 June, farms in Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp will be visited, and on 4 June, farms and a feedlot in Middelburg (Mpumalanga) will be on the agenda.
Significant contribution
Borges says economic and environmentally sustainable cattle farming requires planning that includes action in the areas of genetics, health, nutrition and reproductive management. The Zebu breeds (Bos indicus) originated from India and are well adapted to tropical meat and milk production systems.
Zebu genetics were introduced in the 19th century in Brazil and led to the emergence of livestock farming for local breeding conditions. Thanks to their adaptability and production capacity in the tropics, Zebu breeds represent more than 80% of Brazil’s cattle population in the form of purebred and crossbred animals.
Enterprises interested in attending the events can contact Dr Carlos Muller at carlos.muller@agro.gov.br or 012 023 0691.
