A Glimpse of Brazil's Sheep and Goat Industry

by Susan Schoenian

In the summer of 2003, I traveled to João Pessoa, Brazil, to speak at Brazil's 2nd International Symposium on Meat Goat and Sheep Production, sponsored by the Paraíba State Agricultural Research Company. There were speakers from throughout South America, South Africa, Australia, and the United States. All aspects of sheep and goat production were covered. I was asked to speak about "Hair Sheep Production in the Caribbean," as a result of my travels to the Caribbean with the Maryland Department of Agriculture.

I found Brazil, at least the coast, to have many similarities to the Caribbean, in terms of people, culture, climate, and agriculture. While Brazil is best known for soybean production, we were told that the country aims to be the largest producer and exporter of meat in the world. Brazil already leads the world in beef production and ranks high in pork and poultry meat production. Current estimates for the sheep and goat population in Brazil are 30 million, compared to less than 10 million sheep in the United States and 2.5 million goats.


Santa Inês

The Boer goat is gaining in popularity in Brazil. The Savannah goat, another meaty South African breed, has entered the country. Brazil's most well-known breed of sheep is the Santa Inês, a handsome sheep with slick red or black hair and a large frame. The breed is believed to have developed from the Morada Nova, another Brazilian hair sheep; the Somali, an African fat-rumped desert sheep; and the Bergamacia, an Italian wool breed that is milked. While the exact origins of the Santa Inês are unknown, there is some speculation that the Suffolk breed may have contributed to its development, as producers have noted the increased size and dominance of the black color in recent years. The Dorper, recently imported to Brazil, is considered to be a good breed to cross with the Santa Inês to add growth and carcass muscling to the lambs.


Morada Nova Ewes	Cariri Ram	Cabugi Ewes and Ram

With the growing popularity of hair sheep, many people would like ot see the Santa Inês imported into the United States. Like other hair sheep, the Santa Inês does not require shearing, crutching, and tail docking, although colder climates are likely to stimulate some wool growth. Due to its tropical ancestry, the breed is considered to be resistant to internal parasites and tolerant of heat and humidy. Hair sheep, such as the Santa Inês, also produce superior leather, an aspect of hair sheep production that needs to be exploited in the United States. In fact, the Brazilians believe that leather will be the primary product from the Santa Inês, with meat being a secondary product.


Rabo Largo Ram	Dorper Ewe	Santa Inês Ewes

While in Brazil, I had the opportunity to attend an auction of Santa Inês sheep. Most of the animals sold for more than $500 U.S., as excitement in the breeds runs high. Rams have sold for as much as $60,000 U.S. The auction was conducted in a night club type atmosphere, with videos of the sale sheep being shown on a big screen and music blaring in the background.

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Murcia-Granada Buck	Savannah Buck	Azul Doe

Brazil also represents an excellent potential export market for U.S. sheep. Unfortunately, the market is currently closed due to animal health constraints. If and when Brazil opens its borders to U.S. sheep genetics, it could provide marketing opportunities for U.S. seedstock producers. In particular, I think the Katahdin, Dorper, and Royal White, all mproved hair sheep breeds, and the Suffolk, with its outstanding growth rate and carcass quality, would find ready markets in Brazil.