Beef Study Tour to Brazil
Sign–up is progressing for the Beef Study Tour to Brazil set for Jan.15–26, 2009. The tour sponsored by Montana Beef Quality Assurance and Beef Magazine will focus on beef cattle production systems in west–central Brazil.
"In today’s global marketplace cattlemen need to know what the competition is up to and how they’re doing it," says Clint Peck, Billings, MT, director of Montana’s Beef Quality Assurance program. "We’ve developed an itinerary that’ll give beef producers around the U.S. the best possible look at Brazil’s beef systems and assess their strengths and weaknesses as competitors in international markets."
Peck and Joe Roybal, Minneapolis, Minn., editor of Beef, will be leading the tour along with travel coordinator Renata Stephens of Brazilian Liaison. Stephens is a Brazilian native who has extensive experience in agricultural tours and South American excursions. Peck has participated in several beef study tours to South America.
Tour participants will experience a variety of cattle ranching and feeding operations in Brazil’s west–central Brazil’s subtropical cattle farming regions. Highlights include a two–night stay at a working family ranching operation that caters to guests and tour groups. Among the other stops will be a federal beef cattle research center and a high–tech cattle seedstock operation.
"Beyond learning about the challenges and opportunities facing Brasilian ranchers, we’ll interact with local farming families, experiencing their day–to–day lifestyles," Peck adds. "South Americans are very gracious hosts and fully enjoy their American guests."
Mixed with the agricultural setting are world–class tourist sites like the Brazilian Pantanal and Bonito Springs – and two nights in Rio de Janiero.
The tour package price of $4,995/person (double occupancy and based on 25 participants) includes international airfare to and from Brazil, in–country air and motor coach transportation, eight nights of business–class lodging and most meals – along with local guides and translators. Deadline for registration is Nov. 3, 2008. For more information contact Peck at cpeck@montana.edu / 406–896–9068; Joe Roybal at joe.roybal@penton.com / 952–851–4669 or Renata Stephens, Brazilian Liasion, renatas@BrazilianLiasion.com or 763–972–8080. A tour itinerary can be viewed on the Montana BQA website: www.mtbqa.org or www.beef-mag.com.
Montana Beef Quality Assurance,
2116 Broadwater Ave., Suite 307/11
Billings, MT 59102,
406-896-9068,
cpeck@montana.edu
Montana Beef Network,
119 Linfield Hall
Bozeman, MT 59718,
406-994-4323,
mharbac@montana.edu