LIMOUSIN in ARGENTINA
 Currently,
Limousin is an exclusively beef breed, indigenous to the central west of France. It was
introduced in Argentina during the 60’s and later spread to over fifty countries. It
is the first Continental and the third breed in the US.It is at the top of beef
inseminations in Great Britain. Brazil has witnessed a dramatic growth, coming third among
breeds. Cows, sperm and embryos have been imported from those countries. Imported
Limousins gave birth to stabilized derived breeds: Limangus is a synthetic
breed: 3/8 Limousin, 5/8 Aberdeen Angus, a polled breed aimed at producing light carcasses
with easy finish. Indusin is a synthetic breed too: up to 50% Limousin, 25%
British and 25% Bos induces, adapted to high temperatures and regular roughage.
The concentration of several traits of economic value in one
breed, Limousin, accounts for its spectacular expansion all over the world.
In the first place, it is one of the breeds with the most convenient
carcass and clean meat returns due to its exceptional muscular mass, its thin bones and
scarce fat waste.
Secondly, it boasts very good growth rates and a high feed efficiency.
This set of assets makes it particularly adequate for intensive feeding: intensive
rotational grazing, creep feeding and confinement. It is used in crossings with British
breeds and bos induces crossings to obtain steers weighing 450-500 k for exports.
Frames are medium, especially in Argentina, with adult weight (fat) up
to 800-900 k for bulls and 600-700 k in cows. It may be polled or homed. Its sorrel
coloured hair, relatively loose skin and double chin contribute to a tolerance to hot
weather which has been successfully put to the test in tropical countries.
Milk production is a bare minimum which does not interfere with
breeding. Its fertility is outstanding, even in pastoral farming with regular
roughage. Last but not least, it is the Continental breed with the greatest calving ease.
Breeders’ choice is based on the combination of these qualities.
Limangus is a polled breed, either black or red. It combines Limousin carcass yield and
fast growth with original Angus fertility and easy finish. Peculiarly adapted to pastoral
farming and consumer markets (light steers: 300-420 k and heifers: 280- 320 k). Indusin is
a triple stabilized crossing with residue hybrid value, short red hair, slight hump and
conspicuous muscling, medium sized. It yields consumer or export steers in those areas
which require toughness and tolerance to high temperatures.
Since 1968, the Asociación Argentina de Criadores de Limousin (ACLA;
Argentine Limousin Breeders Association) has carried out several tests with Limousin sires
for calving ease in 2-year old heifers. They were supervised by the
Department of Zootechnics of the School of Agronomy, University of Buenos Aires
(DZ,FA:UBA). The project resulted in the use of low birth weight lines.
Experiences are currently under way to test Limousin sires for calving
ease in heifers mated at 15 months (QM).
ACLA Technical Department regularly carries out controls of carcass
performance in steer contests as a way of offering guidelines to producers. An ACLA
designed inspector controls and enters male and female Limousin, 4mangus and Indusin
breeders. He allots a phenotype grading for carcass structure, muscular conformation,
sexual traits and breed type.
Limousin Herd Books It requires identification
tattoo and information on Matings, Births and Property transfers and is controlled by the
Sociedad Rural Argentina (SRA; Argentine Rural Society).
It includes Full Blood and Pure Breed animals with over five generation upgrading
which have passed the phenotypic control of ACLA. A Grade-up multiple sired breeders Herd
Book with over three generation upgrading approved by ACLA: phenotypic control
identification, mark, qualification.
Limangus Herd Books Full Blood and Grade-up multiple sired breeders
Herd Book with over three generation upgrading approved by ACLA, similar to the one
mentioned above.
ARGENTINE
LIMOUSIN BREEDERS ASSOCIATION
Paraguay 419 PB 24 - 1004 - Capital
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