CATTLE IN BRAZIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19531, 14 July 1925, Page 11

CATTLE IN BRAZIL.

t FEW PUREBRED HEEDS. Of the estimated 30,000,000 head of cattle in Brazil approximately one-third are in the State of Kio Grande do Sul, which is located in the extreme south-east of the Republic. According to an article by Geo. L. Wetzel in s the Breeders' Gazette, the stock are indiffer- T ent as regards quality. Purebred herds are v few and far between, while such animals as _ may be imported are mostlv inferior. Of ’ the introduced breeds the Hereford is the most popular. The Shorthorn, AberdeenAngua and Devon follow in that order. An f attempt is being made in some camps to * improve the native stock by crossing with * zebu bulls. The effect is increased size of the progeny and a stock immune to the tick. v Mr Wetzel says that the latter attribute C seems to be the zebu’s only claim to “a t place in the sun" in South America, as ( Uruguay and Argentina prohibit its imports- s tion and the meat works will not buy steers showing zebu blood except at a discount. It is the presence of ticks that militates against T raising purebred cattle in the State. Ivradi- 1 cation is impossible without compulsory dip- F ping, which is not in force. Some of the 8 more advanced ranchmen of the Uruguayan t frontier dip and vaccinate against anthrax. I The majority, though, look on all diseases r in a fatalistic light, and do little to save t their stock. i