Brazil at present has the largest commercial cattle
population in the world. There are approximately
16 breeding programmes for the beef sector, of which
all but one are for Zebu cattle. Thirteen programmes
for different breeds and groups of breeds have the
objective of increasing reproductive efficiency and
growth rate in beef herds using classical breeding
techniques allied with modern biotechnologies.
The top 20 percent of the animals receive a Special
Certificate of Identification and Production (CEIP).
The Breeding Programme for Zebu Cattle (PMGZ), run
by the Brazilian Association of Zebu Breeders (ABCZ)
identifies superior animals by calculating expected
progeny differences (EPDs) for weight and weight
gain at different ages, as well as fertility traits and
reproductive efficiency. With a database of more than
1.5 million animals and 65 000 new animals entering
each year, this is a national programme for all Zebu
breeds. Another breeding programme for Zebu cattle
is GENEPLUS, which has a database of more than
700 000 animals and provides breeders with EPDs
for age at first calving, calving interval, gestation
period, service period and scrotal circumference, as
well as weights and weight gains at different ages.
PROMEBO operates a programme for beef cattle of
taurine breeds. With the aim of improving Zebu cattle,
the ABCZ also collaborates with various research
societies as well a dozen universities, offering them
production and genealogy data.
Source: FAO
population in the world. There are approximately
16 breeding programmes for the beef sector, of which
all but one are for Zebu cattle. Thirteen programmes
for different breeds and groups of breeds have the
objective of increasing reproductive efficiency and
growth rate in beef herds using classical breeding
techniques allied with modern biotechnologies.
The top 20 percent of the animals receive a Special
Certificate of Identification and Production (CEIP).
The Breeding Programme for Zebu Cattle (PMGZ), run
by the Brazilian Association of Zebu Breeders (ABCZ)
identifies superior animals by calculating expected
progeny differences (EPDs) for weight and weight
gain at different ages, as well as fertility traits and
reproductive efficiency. With a database of more than
1.5 million animals and 65 000 new animals entering
each year, this is a national programme for all Zebu
breeds. Another breeding programme for Zebu cattle
is GENEPLUS, which has a database of more than
700 000 animals and provides breeders with EPDs
for age at first calving, calving interval, gestation
period, service period and scrotal circumference, as
well as weights and weight gains at different ages.
PROMEBO operates a programme for beef cattle of
taurine breeds. With the aim of improving Zebu cattle,
the ABCZ also collaborates with various research
societies as well a dozen universities, offering them
production and genealogy data.
Source: FAO
