The Brazilian beef herd is the largest commercial herd in the world, overtaking the Indian and Chinese. It consists of about 80% of animals of Zebu breeds (Bos indicus) and 20% of taurine breeds (Bos taurus).

         The Zebu cattle of Indian origin, is noted for its rusticity, which can be differentiated by the presence of livestock Taurine of termite in the region of the withers. The Nelore is of significance between the Zebu herds of the country, constituting about 90% of the animals of Indian origin, being distributed throughout the territory. The Taurine cattle is concentrated mainly in the states of the south (Santa Catarina, Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul), whose climate is very similar to the European climate (geographical breed).

         The average size of taurine (British breeds) are known for their sexual precocity, which allows them to produce a beef with excellent finishing of fat (fat thickness) and early age to the beginning of reproductive life, which is benefit to the producer . Hereford, Angus Shorthon and taurine breeds are examples of medium-sized. Simmental and Limousin are bigger (continental breed) and therefore, are a bit late, producing a heavier carcass.

         The rusticity of Zebu, Nelore in particular, confers resistance to heat, the diseases and parasites. Some physical characteristics contribute to this rustic: short, thin hair (easily the loss of heat) and skin with melanin (ultraviolet ray protection) make the zebu cattle in tropical conditions and / or subtropical, highly efficient for producing beef.

         The increase of the body surface also promotes the loss of heat by the animal. Ears and dewlap (accumulation of skin below the neck and above the chest) encourage the increase of surface (some scientists agree that the dewlap does not contribute to this loss of heat).

         The adjustment to the scheme extractive livestock (feeding to grazing) also contributes to the predominance of Nelore in the country. Obviously, the taurine breeds also have very interesting characteristics for beef cattle: sexual precocity, maternal ability and muscle deposition are some of them.

         The marbling is one of the most valued characteristics, by giving the beef tenderness and juiciness. The European breeds are specialized in the production of this type of beef, in which there is a deposition of fat streaky. The zebuines breeds not worked properly produce a beef with inferior quality in relation to European breeds. However, the work on genetic improvement and selection already allow the formation of strains of Nelore to produce beef of excellent quality. The crossing of taurine and zebu cattle result midsize animals with highly desirable characteristics: sexual precocity, maternal ability, carcass muscularity and dressing (from the European genetics), and rustic, better feed conversion and excellent weight gain on pasture (from genetic zebus). Thus it is obtained in single animal characteristics of both breeds.

         Furthermore, demand has grown for Zebu breeds in recent years, especially in genetics produced by Brazil. The Arabs are the largest importers of beef