In the 2000s, China’s power grew. So did its money. Lots of China’s new money went to Brazil to buy beef. 

Beef became a big, big deal in Brazil. Do you think of cowboys when you think of beef? Brazilians do. In Brazil, country music is booming. TV viewers watch live cattle auctions on the Cow Channel. Brazilian scientists are now experts at using cow genes to breed strong, meaty animals.

Viatina wins award after award. She was even dubbed “Miss South America” at the “Champion of the World” competition in Fort Worth, Texas. But ranchers watch and wait. They hope that Viatina’s genes will make lots of healthy calves. That would make Viatina an all-around star.

From India to Brazil

In Brazil, eight of every 10 cows are zebus (ZEE-boos). That cow species comes from India. Zebus have a hump and dewlap (folds of draping neck skin). Viatina belongs to the Nelore breed of Zebu. Nelore cows are raised for meat, not milk.

The first Zebus arrived in Brazil in the second half of the 19th century. They survived much better than cows from Europe. They coped well with Brazil’s hot weather. They resisted parasites. They gained weight faster.

A prizewinning Nelore bull named Karvardi arrived from India in 1963. Karvardi made such a splash that Brazilians kept him around even after he died! His preserved body stands in the Zebu Museum in Uberaba, Brazil. Viatina lives in that city too.

Uberaba holds ExpoZebu every year. The dress code? Boots. Baseball caps. Blue jeans. Evening concerts draw 10,000 spectators who belt out country songs. But the main attraction is the daily cattle shows. Ranchers come from as far away as Zimbabwe and Indonesia. Cows get fresh haircuts to charm show judges.

The most prestigious (honored) auction is called Elo de Raça. Viatina has been sold there more than once. Each time, her price gets higher.