Crossbreeding between zebu and taurine cattle gains momentum at the breeding season, says Zadra

Brazilian cattle farming, with over a thousand globally available beef breeds, enters the breeding season with a genetic dilemma: which breed to use to maximize productivity? In an interview with Giro do Boi, zootechnician Alexandre Zadra, a specialist in breeds and crosses, stated that the cross between zebu and taurine (half-blood) should gain a new boost, driven by the demand for quality meat and the rise of bonus programs. The specialist emphasizes that, despite the notable growth in the cross between zebu alone – driven by the excellence of Brazilian genetic improvement – the appreciation of the arroba and the search for tender meat are directing the market towards the F1 (half-blood) breed. The use of European semen and adapted taurine bulls (crossbred) in zebu females should "boom" in this breeding season. Check out the full interview: The breeder with access to technology has focused on precocity as the main indicator. With the aid of better rearing, supplementation, and ...