11/5/2009 8:09:00 AM Brazilian ranchers visit Great Plains
Courtesy photo
Portuguese- speaking cattlemen from Brazil, relying on their translator, Ricardo Silva, made their way through cattle country in eastern Nebraska and South Dakota to learn about the U.S. cattle industry. Of particular interest to the group was feed products and marketing practices employed by U.S. cattlemen.
By Lisa Hare
The changing face of agriculture in a global economy has induced many farm organizations to share ideas - sometimes across continents.
Last month, through the collaboration of Rupiper Travel of Yankton, a group of 28 Brazilian cattle ranchers made their way through cattle country in eastern Nebraska and South Dakota to learn about the U.S. cattle industry.
"These cattlemen are looking for new ideas," said Larry Rupiper, the group's host for the tour, as the Brazilian contingent toured Stockmen's Livestock Auction in Yankton.
With very limited English, the Portuguese-speaking cattlemen relied on their translator, Ricardo Silva. The group's participants were all members and officers of an organization known as Famato -the Brazilian equivalent of Farm Bureau - from the state Mato Grosso in Brazil.
"The Famato group is the country's foremost farming and ranching support organization," Rupiper said.
Famato president Rui Prado said that the globalization of markets is changing many aspects of agriculture.
"It is not something that we can turn back. It is going to keep moving forward," he said. "All we can do is try to adapt and change with the flow to survive."
With nearly 190 million head of cattle, Brazil is a major exporter of beef to Russia, Venezuela, the European Union and China. Yet, surprisingly, most of their beef is range-fed, since the climate allows them to graze year-round. Prado said roughly 20 percent of all beef raised in Brazil is exported.
"We are learning that the ranchers here are very concerned with the specifics of the feed," said Prado. "We understand that much of that has to do with the winters here."
"Soybeans is their number one crop, but they don't use it for feed - (the beans) are mostly exported," Rupiper said, adding that they are beginning to feed some corn. But changing feed stock means changing genetics is also necessary.
"In Brazil, we mainly have Nelore cattle," Silva said.
A native breed of India, Nelore are much like Brahmas and are very well adapted to the vegetation and climate of Brazil.
Otavio Celidonio, manager from the Institute of Agriculture and Livestock Farming Economics said the average cattle ranch in Brazil consists of about 3,000 hectares - or about 7,000 acres. But the stocking rate is about one animal per hectare.
Silva added that environmental issues are becoming a prominent focus in Brazil. "There are many things that the farmers are being blamed for, but we are the principal care-takers of the land. It is only in our best interest to protect the (resources) because our livelihood depends upon it," Silva said.
One of the stops the group made was to the USDA Animal Research Center near Grand Island, Nebraska.
"The group was very interested in the research center," Rupiper said. "They are currently experimenting with many different breeds and crosses in Brazil."
"More and more, we are cross- breeding Nelore with other breeds to get that hybrid vigor, and get cattle that finish better on grain," Silva said, adding that any hormone or growth therapies in animals are illegal in Brazil.
With stops at the Pitzer Ranch - home of the legendary Quarter Horse stud, Two Eyed Jack - Ericson Livestock Auction, Minert Ranch of Registered Angus cattle, a rodeo in Omaha and several area farming and ranching operations, the group got more than a well-rounded view of how Amercica does beef.
"They had a lot of fun in the process of learning our customs in agriculture," Rupiper said. "I think the most important thing they took away from the experience was how effective the U.S. cattle industry is at marketing. It's very different from how it's done in Brazil."
Primitive by U.S. standards, the sale of beef cattle in Brazil usually takes place between private parties negotiating -like used car might be sold in the U.S.
"We don't weigh the cattle or have big markets to take (the cattle) to," Prado said. "You have to know who you are dealing with to get a fair price."
Among the stops, the Famato group also visited with First Dakota Bank in Yankton and got a lesson in U.S. ag lending.
"There is a big, big difference (from Brazil)," said Celidonio. "Here, the interest rates are much lower."
Having made numerous trips to various foreign countries, Rupiper said the sharing of information always goes both ways.
"I've taken Americans to Brazil, and (the Brazilians) are very open about how they do things," he said. "It's always good - for everybody - when people can get together like this and share information. Everyone learns something."
I personally feel that sharing knowledge with each other – whether it be with a neighbor down the road or a farmer in a different country – can only better us as an industry.
Posted: Thursday, November 12, 2009
Article comment by:
Marcus Kephart
This sharing information with competitors seems like "training our replacement". Don't you think that big buyers will then go to the lower cost suppliers?
