Canchim
The Canchim is a breed of
Origin
Zebu cattle (Bos Indicus), introduced to Brazil in the last century[
Formation of the breed
The European breed used in the formation of Canchim cattle was Charolais.
The main Zebu breed which contributed to the formation to the Canchim was the Indubrazil, although Guzerá and
The alternative crossbreeding programs initiated in 1940 by Dr. Antonio Teixeira Viana had the objective of obtaining first, crossbreeds 5/8 Charolais and 3/8 Zebu and second, 3/8 Charolais x 5/8 Zebu, to evaluate which of the two was the most successful. The total number of Zebu cows utilized to produce the half-breeds was 368, of which 292 were Indubrasil, 44 Guzerá and 32 Nelore. All the animals produced were reared exclusively on the range. Control of parasites was done every 15 days and the animals were weighed at birth and monthly. The females were weighed up to 30 months and the males up to 40 months. The data collected during various years of work, permitted an evaluation of the various degrees of crossbreeding. The conclusion was that the 5/8 Charolais and 3/8 Zebu was the most suitable, presenting an excellent frame for meat, precocious, resistance to heat and parasites, and a uniform coat.[2] The first crossbred animals, 5/8 Charolais and 3/8 Zebu, were born in 1953. Thus was born a new type of beef cattle for Central Brazil, with the name CANCHIM, derived from the name of a tree very common in the region where the breed was developed. It was not until 1971 that the Brazilian Association of Canchim Cattle Breeders (ABCCAN) was formed, and on 11 November 1972 the Herd Book was initiated. On 18 May 1983 the Ministry of Agriculture, recognized Canchim type cattle as a Breed.
New bloodlines
The Canchim breed, being a synthetic breed, permits breeders, in the development of new crossbreeding systems, to use the breeds used to form the Canchim breed, besides the breed itself, in its development.
There are many Canchim breeders forming new blood lines. Today[when?] the Nelore breed totally dominates the Zebu breed in the formation of Canchim.[citation needed] American and French Charolais semen, from carefully selected bulls is also used and recommended by the ABCCAN to form new bloodlines.
Past Presidents of the Brazilian Association of Canchim Cattle Breeders
- Roberto Luiz de Souza Barros; 1971–1978
- Francisco Jacintho da Silveira; 1978–1982
- Diogo Antonio de Barros; 1984–1992
- João Paulo Marques Canto Porto; 1992–1997
- Peter Anthony Baines; 1997–2001
- Deniz Ferreira Ribeiro; 2001–2007
- Luiz Adelar Scheuer; 2007–2009
References
- ^ "Oklahoma State University breed profile". Archived from the original on 2008-09-24. Retrieved 2008-09-02.
- ^ "EMBRAPA website".