The future of beef production in South America

Abstract

South American beef production varies due to diverse climates, environmental conditions, animal breeds (Bos indicus, Bos taurus and crossbreeds), management strategies, and nutritional sources. Applying technology in the South American beef production system can significantly enhance efficiency, sustainability, and profitability. Reproductive efficiency is a significant challenge, especially in cow-calf operation systems conducted under adverse conditions. Consequently, implementing effective assisted reproduction technologies (ART) can make a significant contribution. In the last two decades, the development of fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) protocols permitted the widespread application of artificial insemination for breeding management and genetic improvement in beef herds in South America. Nowadays, FTAI is being applied in South America in large-scale programs, with around 20 % of heifers and cows receiving this technology every year. This results in a greater calving rate and significant genetic gain occurring in this territory. Also, in vitro embryo production, mainly using sex-selected sperm has been widely applied in this region, leading to significant improvements in herd genetics and productivity. Recently, 94 % of all embryo transfers in South America consist of in vitro-produced embryos (41,429 being in vivo-derived and 650,782 being in vitro-produced embryos), mainly using fixed-time embryo transfer technology (FTET). Genomic selection combined with in vitro embryo production with oocytes from heifer calves provides a powerful technology platform to reduce generation interval and significantly increase the rate of genetic gain in beef cattle. Emerging biotechnologies, such as genome editing via the CRISPR/Cas system, are being developed to enhance productivity, confer resilience to adverse environmental conditions, increase disease resistance, and control pest species that affect livestock. Finally, while all these technologies offer significant potential, further progresses are needed to transform livestock production. The vast geographical scale and diverse climates of South America make regional knowledge crucial for aligning beef production with sustainability goals and supporting global food security.