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Agriculture Press Release February 4, 1998 Florida Beef Breeding Stock Being Shipped To Brazil TALLAHASSEE Florida Agriculture Commissioner Bob Crawford today announced that three purebred bulls will soon be shipped from Florida to Brazil under a program designed to increase exports of Florida breeding stock to the South American country. The bulls, donated by Florida breed associations, initially will be exhibited at a major livestock exposition in Londrina, Brazil, April 8-16. Then they will be maintained by a local rancher, who will use them as herd sires, and semen from the bulls will be distributed to other ranchers. The bulls also may be exhibited at another livestock show in Brazil next year, which would further increase their exposure. Representatives from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Marketing and Development, attended the Londrina exposition last year, and they returned to Brazil last June to make arrangements for the Florida exhibit. "These bulls will provide tangible evidence of the quality of Florida seed stock," Crawford said. "They will demonstrate that Brazilian cattlemen can increase productivity by utilizing the genetics provided by Florida beef cattle. Ultimately, this program will help increase the export of Florida breeding stock to Brazil and other South American countries." Brazil is Floridas No. 1 trading partner, and exports to Brazil have increased substantially since the country implemented an economic stabilization program in 1994. The Brazilian livestock industry is committed to becoming more efficient through advanced technology and the importation of high-performance livestock and genetics. "Florida cattlemen are in a unique position to provide breeding stock already acclimated to the Brazilian environment because of Floridas tropical climate," Crawford said. "We appreciate the breed associations that have donated bulls to get this program started." Last year, the Londrina livestock show had 800 exhibitors and 6,000 animals, and attracted nearly 1 million visitors. Department representatives have attended the show in previous years, but this is the first time that Florida beef cattle will actually be exhibited. The three bulls are scheduled to be shipped by air from Miami on February 15. -30- For More Information: |
