How A 450 Kg Ox Turns Into 200 Kg Of Meat And Boosts The Leather, Cosmetics, And Exports Industry In Over 150 Countries With The Beef Cattle Farming

Written by Jefferson Augusto

Published on 03/07/2025 at 11:13

Updated on 03/07/2025 at 11:16

Infográfico hiper-realista de um boi de corte com cortes de carne identificados, representando o impacto global da pecuária de corte na alimentação mundial.

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With Three Main Stages, Thousands of Heads of Cattle, and a Complex Chain of Breeding, Slaughter, and Marketing, Beef Cattle Is the Backbone of the Meat Sector in Brazil and the World

Beef cattle is the agricultural activity focused on raising cattle with the primary goal of producing beef. In Brazil, one of the largest exporters in the world, the chain involves cattle farms, slaughterhouses, transport companies, and national and international distribution channels. The process begins with the so-called cow-calf operations, where cows are raised to produce calves.

These calves are then destined for the backgrounding system, which promotes weight gain with pasture and supplementation. Finally, the animals are sent to feedlots for rapid fattening before slaughter. The cattle that go through this phase are known as “feeder cattle” and are intended for industrial slaughter.

The most commonly used breeds in Brazilian beef cattle raising include Nelore, Angus, Bonsmara, Brahman, and Tabapuã, among others, which are selected based on factors such as weight gain, fertility, and resistance to parasites.

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The Routine on Cattle Farms and Animal Feeding

On a beef cattle farm, sanitary and nutritional management is vital. Animals can be raised on natural pastures or in intensive systems. A cow can consume up to 4% of its weight in feed per day, made up of silage, corn, hay, or balanced feed.

Hydration is also essential: cattle can drink between 30 to 70 liters of water per day in hot weather. Facilities include pens, electric fences, water troughs, feeders, and, in more technologically advanced cases, sensors and software control.

In addition to meat, beef cattle provide by-products such as leather, insulin, and ingredients for cosmetics and sweets. The activity also drives the agricultural industry, fueling machinery, fertilizer, and veterinary industries.

Environmental Impacts and Sanitary Requirements

Intensive cattle farming is often associated with greenhouse gas emissions, especially methane. The use of large land areas for pasture and feed crop has been linked to deforestation, notably in the Brazilian Amazon.

The sector responds with programs for cattle traceability, the use of technologies to reduce environmental impact, and certifications like Carbon Neutral Meat. In the sanitary realm, international standards require animal welfare, access to shade and water, and humane slaughter.

During slaughter, the cattle is stunned with a pneumatic gun before bleeding. The carcass is cooled for 24 to 48 hours and then butchered, yielding up to 200 kg of meat from a 450 kg live animal.

Meat Quality and Exports

The quality of beef is defined by the marbling content, which refers to intramuscular fat deposits. More marbled cuts, such as those from breeds like Wagyu or Angus, are valued in the gourmet market.

Brazil exports beef to more than 150 countries, with highlights including China, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and Chile. In 2023, exports generated over US$ 10 billion, according to ABIEC data.

Beef cattle is also essential for domestic supply, employing millions of people directly and indirectly and serving as the base of family farming in various regions.

How A 450 Kg Ox Turns Into 200 Kg Of Meat And Boosts The Leather, Cosmetics, And Exports Industry In Over 150 Countries With The Beef Cattle Farming

With Three Main Stages, Thousands of Heads of Cattle, and a Complex Chain of Breeding, Slaughter, and Marketing, Beef Cattle Is the Backbone of the Meat Sector in Brazil and the World

The Routine on Cattle Farms and Animal Feeding

Environmental Impacts and Sanitary Requirements

Meat Quality and Exports

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How A 450 Kg Ox Turns Into 200 Kg Of Meat And Boosts The Leather, Cosmetics, And Exports Industry In Over 150 Countries With The Beef Cattle Farming

With Three Main Stages, Thousands of Heads of Cattle, and a Complex Chain of Breeding, Slaughter, and Marketing, Beef Cattle Is the Backbone of the Meat Sector in Brazil and the World

The Routine on Cattle Farms and Animal Feeding

Environmental Impacts and Sanitary Requirements

Meat Quality and Exports

While an average building in London or New York takes three years to be completed, in China a 26-story tower went up in five days with about 100 workers, and the global modular construction market already moves US$ 95 billion per year.

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While cities spend fortunes patching potholes and tons of plastic become waste, the Netherlands transforms over 218,000 recycled cups into a modular bike path that can conceal drainage, cables, and pipes.

A public school student single-handedly created a machine capable of treating water for up to 50 people using only solar energy. It was awarded third place at one of the most important science fairs in the world.

Goodbye traditional washing machine: Panasonic surprises housewives with the NA-G5 featuring four drums, a 13 kg washer and dryer, a 12 kg dryer, independent mini washers, a heat pump, and a 4-in-1 system awarded at the German Design Award.

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