Viatina-19: Record-breaking auction highlights Brazil's cattle prowess

Due to her incredible value, Viatina-19 is constantly monitored by cameras. Additionally, an armed guard ensures her safety. The cow attracts many Brazilians who come to her barn, located on a farm near Uberaba in Minas Gerais, in the eastern part of the country, to see this extraordinary animal up close.

According to information provided by the Associated Press, the price at which Viatina-19 was sold was three times higher than that of the previous most expensive cow in the world. This is because Viatina-19 quickly gains muscle mass, is extremely fertile, and passes her genetic traits to her offspring.

"She is the closest to perfection," said Lorrany Martins, the animal's veterinarian. "She’s a complete cow, has all the characteristics that all the proprietors are looking for."

Viatina-19 represents the Nelore breed, which is raised for meat. This cow symbolises Brazilian ambitions related to the long-term breeding of champions. Sometimes, due to the high price, one animal has several owners. Breeders acquire egg cells or semen from such animals and then perform embryo insemination into surrogate cows, hoping they will give birth to the next generation of champions. The cost of obtaining egg cells from Viatina-19 alone is £208,000.

Scientists researching climate change are calling for a reduction in beef consumption. Beef production is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in global agriculture. Additionally, creating new pastures leads to increasing deforestation of the Amazon. According to data from the US Department of Agriculture, over 230 million cows live in Brazil.

Nonetheless, cattle breeding is the primary driver of economic development in Brazil. The country's government is trying to gain new markets, including the Japanese market. Brazil is currently the largest beef exporter in the world.