Uruguay seeks to diversify beef supply through dairy integration

The Uruguayan meat industry is exploring new strategies to address challenges in cattle availability. A pilot program involving Minerva and Prolesa (part of Conaprole) aims to integrate male calves from dairy farms into the beef supply chain. Historically, 30% to 40% of male calves in dairy systems have been discarded or left out of productive chains. The program utilizes a cycle of approximately 11 months, including a two-month period in a guachera followed by semi-confinement, resulting in carcasses of over 200 kilograms.

Additionally, industry leaders at Expo Prado discussed the sustainable intensification of livestock production. The focus is on combining traditional grazing on natural pastures with strategic intensive finishing methods, such as feedlot finishing. This approach seeks to improve efficiency, reduce slaughter age, and stabilize supply while maintaining the environmental and cultural attributes of Uruguayan beef.