Brazil cattle production on pivot irrigation

One of the newest enterprises in the cerrado is intensive cattle production on pivot irrigated pasture. The cattle are fed no grain, and go directly to market after 12 months on pasture. There is a strong market for grass-fed beef as Brazilian consumers are not accustomed to grain fed beef.

The Production System

A 103 ha pivot irrigation system drawing from river or well water is typically installed in newly cleared cerrado. The soil is limed and fertilized with super simple phosphate, then disked and planted to grass. The circle is divided by electric fencing into several paddocks. A gate from each paddock opens into the center area which serves as a rest area with water and mineral salt.

The enterprise begins with 1,100 calves weighing an average of 6 arrobas (180kg) per head. The calves are divided into two lots with one lot pasturing a new paddock one day and then turned into the previously grazed paddock the second day. Over 12 months, total gain is 9.6 arrobas (288 kg) per head. The cattle are sold at the farm or through a new slaughtering plant and go to market at 18 months of age weighing an average of 15.6 arrobas (468 kg) per head.

Labor required to operate a livestock pivot is minimal. One person can manage up to three pivots, although additional labor is needed for vaccination, insect control and weighing.

Intensive livestock production under pivot irrigation in Western Bahia is an economically viable enterprise. Cash and financial returns are positive. In addition to positive returns, attractions of this enterprise are the low labor requirements and the possibility of locating the enterprise on newly-opened cheap, virgin cerrado land. Livestock pivots can be installed in areas of lower rainfall where land is less expensive than in high rainfall areas. Moreover, returns can be generated within one year after opening new land. A new slaughter plant has been opened in Barreiras and most of the area's cattle are marketed through the plant. The region is certified foot and mouth free and the plant is approved for export to many nations.

Intensive cattle production has great potential to become a major industry. Except for some other Brazilian frontier regions, there is likely no other place on earth that has lower production costs.