Released October 17, 2008
BOZEMAN, Mont. -- A tour to study beef cattle production in west-central Brazil will run from Jan. 15-26.
The tour, sponsored by Montana Beef Quality Assurance and Beef Magazine, is open to anyone interested. The deadline to register is Nov. 3.
"In today's global marketplace cattlemen need to know what the competition is up to and how they're doing it," said Clint Peck of Billings, director of Montana's Beef Quality Assurance program for Montana State University. "We've developed an itinerary that'll give beef producers around the United States the best possible look at Brazil's beef systems and assess their strengths and weaknesses as competitors in international markets."
Peck and Joe Roybal of Minneapolis, editor of "Beef," will lead 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 visit a variety of cattle ranching and feeding operations in the subtropical cattle farming regions of west-central Brazil. Highlights include a two-night stay at a working family ranch 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 Brazilian ranchers, we'll interact with local farming families, experiencing their day-to-day lifestyles," Peck added. "South Americans are very gracious hosts and fully enjoy their American guests."
Besides the agricultural settings, the tour will stop at world-class sights like the Brazilian Pantanal and Bonito Springs. It includes two nights in Rio de Janeiro.
The tour package costs $4,995 per person (double occupancy and based on 25 participants) which covers international airfare to and from Brazil, in-country air and motor coach transportation, eight nights of business-class lodging and most meals.
For more information or the itinerary, contact Peck at cpeck@montana.edu or (406) 896-9068.
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http://www.montana.edu/cpa/news/nwview.php?article=6369
Contact: Evelyn Boswell, (406) 994-5135, evelynb@montana.edu
