Indu-Brasil

The Indu-Brasil or Indo-Brazilian is a Brazilian breed of zebuine beef cattle. It was bred in the early twentieth century in the Triângulo Mineiro in the western part of Minas Gerais state, and particularly in the area surrounding Uberaba. It was originally known as the Induberaba. It derives from imported Indian zebuine cattle, principally Gir and Kankrej (which in Brazil are known as Guzerá). It was formerly an important beef breed, but in the twenty-first century is an endangered breed. It is characterised by particularly large ears, perhaps the largest seen in any breed of cattle. The Indu-Brasil derives from zebuine cattle imported to Brazil from India, principally of Kankrej stock (known in Brazil as Guzerá), Ongole (known in Brazil as Nellore) and Gir stock. It was bred in the early twentieth century in the Triângulo Mineiro in the western part of Minas Gerais state, and particularly in the area surrounding Uberaba, which gave rise to its original name, Induberaba; the name was changed to the present one in 1936. A breed association was started in 1939 and another, the Associação Brasileira dos Criadores de Indubrasil, was established in 1962. It was formerly an important beef breed; in 1991 a breeding stock of 80000 cows was reported to the DAD-IS database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.