Advancing Through Genetics and Collaboration
In December 2024, a pivotal meeting occurred in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, aiming to invigorate the nation’s small ruminant industry. The gathering brought together key figures: SMART Reproduction’s Latin American Sales Representative Raphael Da Silva; Pedro de Alcântara Martins, President of the Brazilian Goat Breeders Association, and the Associação Paraibana de Criadores de Ovinos e Caprinos (APACOO), and Daniel Benitez Ojeda, Coordinator of the Brazilian Goat Breeders Association.
The participants are pictured left to right.
Leaders in Advocacy and Expertise
As President of these multiple organizations, Pedro de Alcântara Martins oversees policies and initiatives to advance Brazil’s small ruminant sector. His national-level responsibilities include determining the regulatory health and production standards imported germplasm must meet and advocating for increased support and educational programs for producers.
Daniel Benitez Ojeda, Coordinator of the Brazilian Goat Breeders Association, brings a wealth of experience, including his 8-year tenure with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome, Italy, as coordinator for animal genetic resources for Latin America and the Caribbean. His 40 years of expertise and advocacy of the sheep and goat industry are a testament to his knowledge and ability.
Expanding Access to Improved Genetics for Small and Medium Producers
Graciously hosted by Serviço Brasileiro de Apoio às Micro e Pequenas Empresas (Sebrae), whose mission is to promote small businesses’ competitiveness and sustainable development of micro and small enterprises, discussions covered multiple topics. The first was standardizing breed and production qualification standards for importing meat and dairy goat semen and embryos. By focusing on improved communication between these regulatory bodies and SMART, novel lucrative markets are expanded for United States sheep and goat producers.
Another important topic was expanded and equitable access to improved American dairy goat production genetics for small and medium-sized Brazilian producers. This initiative aims to provide small and medium-sized producers across Brazil with the tools necessary to enhance herd quality and productivity by importing biosecure and superior genetics. Improved genetics translate to more productive and resilient food production and stimulate economic growth in the production, processing, and manufacturing sectors. The envisioned program will facilitate collaboration with local and regional cooperatives to develop breeding initiatives centered on education and animal improvement, ensuring that advancements are sustainable and widely disseminated.
SMART Reproduction’s Commitment to Brazil’s Small Ruminant Industry
SMART Reproduction is committed to supporting and engaging with these goals in the short and long term. The company’s commitment includes facilitating genetic imports by ensuring future semen and embryo import projects align with Brazil’s genetic and production standards, thereby maintaining quality and compliance. Building robust communication channels to foster collaboration between Brazilian producers, regulatory bodies, and international partners pave the way for healthy, improved dairy and meat goat herds.
A Vision for National Herd Improvement
President Martins envisions a cooperative approach to herd improvement, emphasizing equitable access to enhanced genetics and education. This strategy will provide multiple benefits.
Improved herd quality can increase productivity, opening new markets and opportunities for small and medium-sized producers. Increased productivity and efficacy directly result in increased economic activity in primary and support industries locally and regionally.
More meat and milk production means enhanced food security. The initiative aims to provide the population with greater access to nutritious and affordable food sources by elevating the standards of meat and milk production.
Brazil’s national inventory of goats increased by 4.0% in 2023, reaching 12.9 million animals. In 2019, Brazilian dairy goat farmers produced 26 million liters of goat milk on 15,720 farms, with the Northeast region responsible for 70 percent of national production. The primary goat milk-producing states are Paraíba and Pernambuco, which account for 35 percent of the Brazilian production. The significant animal inventory growth and domestic demand for goat’s milk and associated value-added products highlight the national demand and the need for industry-wide access to improved genetics.
Looking Ahead: A Collaborative Future
SMART Reproduction is enthusiastic about the forthcoming opportunities to collaborate with Brazilian producers and visionary leaders steering the country’s sheep and goat industries. By focusing on improved communication between these regulatory bodies and SMART, novel lucrative markets are expanded for United States sheep and goat producers. The partnership aspires to drive innovation, sustainability, and prosperity within Brazil’s and the U.S.’s small ruminant sector through combined efforts.