Bravo Cattle breed closer to becoming native breed, announces António Ventura - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Agricultura e Alimentação

The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food announced that the genomic evaluations conducted on the Azorean Bravo Cattle Breed are in the final stages, expressing his belief that this cattle population is closer to becoming a native breed.

António Ventura spoke at the Bullfighting Festival recently held in Angra do Heroísmo, where he recalled various aspects of the history of bullfighting and bullfighting on the rope in the Region.

"In the Azores, Bravo Cattle breeding is a form of cultural expression that brings together the ethnographic traditions of a people and impacts the way we relate to each other. It is a form of cattle breeding that is perfectly consolidated among us and capable of being perpetuated from generation to generation," he said.

The Secretary for Agriculture pointed out that there are currently 25 Cattle Breeders registered in the Herd Book: 21 in Terceira, three in Graciosa, eight in São Jorge, one in Pico, one in São Miguel and one in Faial, representing a herd of 2,662 specimens.

"It is this legacy that the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food is seeking to preserve, consolidating and developing this cattle breed under the Brava dos Açores designation, differentiating it from the Bravo de Lide breed," he added.

"The genomic evaluations conducted on these animals, which are the basis of this population as far as its genealogy and phenotype are concerned, have been our endeavour. In addition to the Genealogical Book, we aim to turn this population into a native breed, thus preserving our genetic heritage to promote and develop this breed," stated António Ventura.