More than 16,000 Cattle Farms in Costa Rica

Costa Rica closed 2011 with a herd made up of 648,929 females producing milk and meat and a total of 16,125 farms, of which 6,692 are listed as specializing in dairy products and as 9,433 as dual purpose, reported Elfinancierocr.com.

Data from the National Animal Health Service (SENASA) estimated that of the total female animals registered, 244,399 were specialized dairy cattle and 404,550 duel purpose.

"Geographically, the National Milk Producers (Proleche) found that most of the milk production is concentrated in Alajuela, mostly in the northern and central regions", the article said.

Source: elfinancierocr.com

More on this topic

Census for Cattle Ranches in Costa Rica

April 2012

A national survey is to establish the current herd numbers around the country, recording sex and age, and other data.

Costa Rica has about 51,158 cattle farms, but there is only up to date information on some 20,680 farms (only 40%), according to the National Animal Health Service (SENASA).

Genetic Improvement in Livestock in Panama

September 2011

Along with Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela, the country is one of the largest purchasers of semen of the zebu breed from Brazil.

In order to diversify production farmers are buying sperm belonging to the zebu breed, which produces dairy and dual purpose (meat and milk).

In the opinion of Euclides Diaz, from the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (Anagen), insemination has been a valuable tool for producers which improves quality and increase the productivity of their animals.

Compensation Requested for the Obstacles Regarding Nicaraguan Meat Exports

February 2009

The Cattle Commission of Nicaragua is demanding that its government petition Costa Rica and Honduras for compensation.

The livestock farmers of Nicaragua, represented by the National Commission of Cattle Raisers of Nicaragua, are exhorting their government to call for compensation regarding the obstacles to beef exportation.

Decreased Cattle Herd in Honduras

April 2012

Farmers are complaining of loss of profitability and lack of credit, and claim that the cattle herd has been reduced by 800,000 heads, threatening to change the country from a meat exporter to an importer.

"From a herd of about two million head, it has been reduced to an estimated 1.2 million head," which means a national decline of nearly 40% said Jorge Handal, president of the Agas (Cattlemen's and Farmer’s Association in Sula).