To create a cow valued at $4.3 million, experts crossbred Bezu cattle with Ongole cattle from India to develop a breed that can withstand heat, resist parasites, and produce high meat yields.
A striking white cow with the characteristic hump on its back and folds of skin around its neck resembling a trendy scarf set a record at an auction last June in Arandú, Brazil. This marked a prestigious victory in the global beef market, especially in Brazil, where cattle are bred and raised with utmost care, according to National Geographic.
The cow named Viatina-19 FIV Mara Imóveis achieved a bid of $4.3 million last year. (Photo: OBT)
When the auction concluded, investors paid a record price of $4.3 million for the Brazilian Nelore breed cow, which is a crossbreed of the ancient zebu cattle. This cow exemplifies Brazil’s capabilities in modern livestock farming. Brazil holds the position of the world’s largest beef exporter, a title it regained three years ago when China began importing from Brazil following a severe African swine fever outbreak that killed 28% of the domestic pig population. Brazil has also established four new slaughterhouses to cater to the Chinese market, according to National Geographic Explorer photographer and explorer Carolina Arantes.
Livestock farming has been one of the primary drivers of deforestation in the Amazon over the past 65 years. Currently, Brazil has a cattle population of 225 million and is expected to continue dominating the market with a projected growth of 35% over the next 20 years. To promote the livestock sector in the mid-20th century, the Brazilian government subsidized families and farmers moving to rural areas, converting rainforests into pastures. As cattle farming developed, Brazil sought to improve its livestock through breeding. The challenge lies in finding animals that can withstand the tropical climate and diverse ecosystems in the country. European cattle breeds (Bos taurus), such as Herefords and Angus, can endure heat but have very low productivity.
Zebu cattle (Bos indicus), native to Southeast Asia, Africa, and China, are more resilient. Generally, zebu cattle naturally adapt to heat due to their numerous large sweat glands. Their thick skin and fine coat help protect them from blood-sucking insects like mosquitoes. Crossbreeding with Ongole cattle in Nellore district, Uttar Pradesh, India, has produced an even hardier breed known as Nelore.
Nelore cattle are resistant to many infectious parasites, which can mitigate stomach issues; however, like all livestock, both Nelore and zebu cattle emit methane through belching and flatulence. Methane is more harmful to the atmosphere than carbon dioxide, and cattle belching accounts for 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. A single cow can produce between 70 to 120 kg of methane, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
With their innate heat tolerance and ability to survive harsh conditions like droughts, zebu crossbreeds are regarded as symbols of environmentally friendly meat production. Some subtypes have a higher muscle-to-fat ratio, thus reducing environmental impact by producing more meat from smaller pasture areas. According to Gabriel Garcia Cid, president of the Brazilian Zebu Cattle Association, zebu genetic resources are one of the key tools for sustainable livestock farming.
