Brazil's cattle ranchers are embracing change

In 2004, Brazil became the world's largest beef exporter by volume, according to the U.S. Agriculture Department. Disease, sanitary issues at slaughter plants, and the sale of lower-priced cuts account for why it still trails Australia in export value.

Incidences of highly contagious foot-and-mouth disease in some parts of Brazil prevent exports of fresh, chilled and frozen beef to some key markets, including the U.S. and Japan.

But with exports to 150 other countries, "losing a few hasn't had a discernible impact on the numbers," says Steve Kay of Cattle Buyers Weekly, based in Petaluma, Calif.

Russia and 55 other countries stopped imports from Brazilian states affected by foot-and-mouth disease last December but removed the ban on major producing states like Mato Grosso deemed clear of the infection in August. Nonetheless, Brazil's exports from January through September 2006 rose 17.6 percent in cash value and 3.8 percent in volume compared with a year earlier, according to the Brazilian Beef Industry and Exporters Association.

To continue reading this article please click here

Source: Star Telegram

Sign up for our
regular news updates

Latest Dairy Industry News

•   BLUETONGUE: Tighter Controls to Halt Disease
•   FAO: Appeal for New World Agricultural Order
•   Strong Demand Continues for Irish Milk Quota
•   BSE NEWS: Seoul Wants Answers to Canadian Case
•   Organic Dairy Struggle Coming to a Head
•   Huge Dairy Project Delayed in Wisconsin
•   Jamaica Develops Dairy Development Board
•   GB Veterinary Associations meet at AFBI Laboratories
•   Incidence of TB in UK Cattle
•   CME: Crude Oil Prices Impact Livestock Production
•   Raw Milk Shows Hidden Bacteria
•   GeneThera Sheds Light on the E.Coli Vaccine
•   Thai FDA to Closely Monitor Chinese Dairy Imports
•   Brazilian Cattlemen Chase Out Indians of Paraguay
•   October Milk Production up 1.5 Percent