Brazil is home to the most expensive cow ever sold at auction, Viatina-19 FIV Mara Movéis. Valued at $4 million, she is twice as heavy as an average adult of her breed and has become a symbol of Brazil’s cattle ambitions. The country is a major beef exporter and strives to conquer new markets. Viatina-19 is the product of years of efforts to raise meatier cows, and her extraordinary price is attributed to her characteristics, fertility, and ability to pass those traits to her offspring.
Brazil’s most valuable cow has attracted attention from ranchers, curious locals, and veterinary students, with billboards highlighting her grandeur along a highway through the heartland. She has won numerous awards, including “Miss South America” at a prestigious competition in Fort Worth, Texas. Her owners, who share ownership due to her high cost, hope to feed the world with her superior genetics. Genetic improvements in cattle breeding have become a focus in Brazil, with high-stakes auctions and elite cows like Viatina-19 leading the way.
Amid a commodities boom, Brazilian agriculture has seen significant growth, with the agriculture sector’s influence extending to the national consciousness. Brazil is at the forefront of cattle genetics, with in-vitro fertilizations and elite cow breeding becoming common practices. Showcased at annual cattle fairs and auctions like ExpoZebu, Brazil’s prized cows command high prices and attract buyers from around the world. The country’s agricultural sector has grown substantially in recent years, contributing to economic development and exports.
Despite the success of elite cows like Viatina-19, Brazil faces challenges related to its large cattle population and the environmental impact of livestock farming. Livestock emissions, particularly from beef and soy production, are a major source of greenhouse gases in the country. Efforts to reduce environmental impact include improving grass for grazing, moving cattle to different pastures regularly, and reducing the age of slaughter. While genetic improvements in cattle breeding can help, they are not a complete solution to mitigate the environmental impact of livestock farming.
Brazil’s president has been working to open new markets for Brazilian beef and promote the country’s meat as a high-quality product. The country is a major beef exporter, with China being a significant market for Brazilian beef. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has focused on expanding exports and securing new markets for Brazilian meat, emphasizing the importance of beef in the country’s economy. Brazil’s success in the beef industry has led to significant revenue and growth in the agricultural sector.
The cloning of cows, like Viatina-19, has become a common practice in Brazil to replicate elite genetics and produce superior offspring. Embryos are created from DNA extracted from cows’ hair, and surrogates are used to carry clones to term. While cloning can lead to high success rates, with one-third of fetal clones surviving, challenges exist, including deformities and failed pregnancies. Some critics argue that high-maintenance cows like Viatina-19 are not suitable for commercial scale farming, highlighting the importance of efficiency and sustainability in cattle production. Viatina-19’s owner, Ney Pereira, plans to expand her genetics internationally and share her superior traits with other countries.
