A Brazilian cow recently made headlines by fetching more than $4 million at an auction, breaking the previous record by three times. The cow, Viatina-19 FIV Mara Movéis, weighs an impressive 2,400 pounds, which is twice the weight of an average adult of her breed. This record-breaking sale is a testament to Brazil’s ongoing efforts to breed meatier cows to meet the growing demand for beef.
Prizewinning cows like Viatina-19 are highly sought after at high-stakes auctions, where wealthy ranchers often share ownership. These elite animals are not raised for slaughter but rather for breeding purposes. The goal is to produce offspring that inherit the exceptional qualities of their champion parents, ultimately contributing to the global food supply.
Viatina-19’s hefty price tag can be attributed to her rapid muscle growth, fertility, and her ability to pass on these desirable traits to her offspring. Breeders place great value on characteristics like posture, hoof solidity, docility, maternal ability, and beauty. Those looking to enhance their livestock genetics are willing to pay around $250,000 for the opportunity to collect Viatina-19’s egg cells.
According to Ney Pereira, one of Viatina-19’s owners, she is considered to be the closest to perfection that has been achieved so far in her breed. Pereira’s daughter, Lorrany Martins, emphasized that Viatina-19 possesses all the characteristics that breeders are searching for in an elite cow.
While Viatina-19 receives special treatment to boost egg cell production, she would still thrive in a pasture environment like almost all of Pereira’s elite cattle. Currently pregnant, Viatina-19’s egg cells have already been sold to buyers in Bolivia, and Pereira has plans to export them to other countries such as the United Arab Emirates, India, and the US.
The impressive sale of Viatina-19 underscores the growing importance of genetic excellence in cattle breeding and the lucrative nature of the livestock industry. As the demand for high-quality beef continues to rise globally, breeders are willing to invest significant sums in acquiring and breeding elite cattle like Viatina-19 to meet this demand.