In 2009, the national total cattle herd reached 205.292 million heads, an increase of 1.5% compared with the previous year. Among herds of large animals surveyed by the Municipal Livestock Production (PPM) 2009, cattle herd was the only one to register an increase. As to the regional distribution of that total, Central-West accounted for 34.4% of the cattle heads, followed by North, with 19.7%, and Southeast, with 18.5%. Considering the states, Mato Grosso was a highlight with 1.3%, followed by Minas Gerais and Mato Grosso do Sul, with 10.9% each.

The survey showed that Corumbá (MS) occupied the first position among the municipalities, with 1.973 million cattle heads (1.0% of the total), followed by São Félix do Xingu (PA) and Ribas do Rio Pardo (MS), with 0.9% and 0.6%, respectively. PPM also surveyed herds of middle-sized and small animals and animal products. Milk production was a highlight, reaching 29.112 billion liters, 5.6% above the volume a year ago. 

Cattle records a high; buffaloes, horses, asses and mules shrink

Among the large animals, the volume of cattle, in 2009, reached 205.292 million heads, considering the animals existing on December 31 of the reference year, beef or dairy cattle. Compared with 2008 (202.287 million heads), there was an increase of 1.5%, that is, 3.005 million animals.

In the regional distribution, Central-West accounted for the highest percentage (34.4%) of the national volume, followed by North (19.7%). Southeast occupied the third position (18.5%), followed by Northeast (13.8%) and by South (13.6%). 

In relation to the Federation Units, Mato Grosso presented the highest volume of animals, with 13.3% of the cattle volume, followed by Mato Grosso do Sul and Minas Gerais, accounting for 10.9% each. The other states were Goiás (10.2%), Pará (8.2%), Rio Grande do Sul (7.0%), Rondônia (5.6%), São Paulo (5.5%), Bahia (5.0%) and Paraná (4.7%). Those ten states accounted for 81.3% of the national cattle herd.

In municipal terms, Corumbá (MS) was the highest cattle producer, with approximately 1.973 million heads, accounting for 1.0% of the national volume, followed by São Félix do Xingu (PA), with 0.9%, and Ribas do Rio Pardo (MS), with 0.6%.

It is worth highlighting the increase in importance of Porto Murtinho (MS). In 2008 it occupied the 12^th position in the ranking of the main municipalities and, in 2009, it changed to the 5^th position, recording a rise of 25.3% in its volume. It is also worth mentioning the performance of Novo Progresso (PA), which, in 2008, was not included among the 20 main municipalities in terms of cattle volume. In 2009 it took the 10^th position.

Brazil has the 2^nd biggest cattle herd of the world, only behind India (according to FAO – Food and Agriculture Organization). It is the 2^nd biggest producer of beef, after the United States, and the biggest world exporter of the product.

The volume of buffaloes dropped 0.9%, reaching 1.136 million animals in 2009. The biggest herds were in Pará, Amapá and Maranhão that, altogether, accounted for 63.5% of the national volume. The main producing municipalities were Chaves (PA), Cutias (AP) and Almeirim (PA).

 The volume of horses reached 5.496 million heads in 2009 (against 5.542 million in 2008). Minas Gerais recorded the highest number of animals of that species (14.9%), followed by Bahia (10.9%) and Rio Grande do Sul (8.2%). The main municipal herds were registered in Corumbá (MS), Feira de Santana (BA) and Santana do Livramento (RS).

As for asses, the national volume in 2009 accounted for 1.030 million heads (against 1.131 million a year ago). The biggest herd was found in Bahia (27.1% of the total), followed by Ceará (18.9%). In the municipal sphere, Feira de Santana (BA), Petrolina (PE) and Boa Viagem (CE) stood out as the main producers.

The volume of mules, in turn, recorded 1.276 million heads in 2009 (against 1.314 million a year ago). Bahia was ahead, accounting for 22.8% of the national total. The municipalities of São Félix do Xingu, Santa Maria das Barreiras and Novo Repartimento, all in Pará, led the number of heads.

Increase in hogs and pigs and sheep; decline in goats

Among the medium-sized herds, the national volume of hogs and pigs reached 38.045 million heads, a rise of 3.3% compared with 2008.

Since 2003, the herd of those animals has recorded constant expansion. Altogether, the states of the South accounted for 48.5% of the Brazilian volume. Santa Catarina, alone, recorded 21.0%, followed by Rio Grande do Sul, Paraná and Minas Gerais. Uberlândia was the main producer, with 1.8% of the national volume, followed by Rio Verde (GO) and Toledo (PR).

In 2009, 9.164 million heads of goats were registered in the country, a drop of 2.0% in relation to 2008. Bahia is the state with the highest volume (30.2%), followed by Pernambuco (17.9%). The three main municipalities in terms of goat production were Casa Nova and Juazeiro, both in Bahia, and Floresta, in Pernambuco.

The national volume of sheep increased by 1.1% (16.812 million heads) in 2009. Rio Grande do Sul accounted for 23.5% of the total. The second biggest producer was Bahia, with 18.0%. The three main producing municipalities were Santana do Livramento and Alegrete (both in RS) and Casa Nova (BA).

The volume of hens and similar and quails grows; rabbits decline

The total volume of roosters, pullets, chicks and hens, constituting the volume of hens and similar, reached 1.234 billion units in 2009, a rise of 2.7% against the previous result. Paraná, São Paulo and Santa Catarina contributed with 20.5%, 18.5% and 14.4%, respectively. The most important producers were Rio Verde (GO), Nova Mutum (MT) and Piraí do Sul (PR).

Among hens and similar, the volume of hens summed up 209.226 million units, a virtual stability in relation to 2008 (207.712 million). The biggest producers were foram São Paulo (21.0%), Paraná and Minas Gerais (each with 11.1% of the total). Bastos (SP) recorded the highest national volume (4.3%), followed by Santa Maria de Jetibá (ES) and Itanhandu (MG).

The volume of quails, in turn, recorded 11.486 million heads, a rise of 27.9% against the previous year. São Paulo, Espírito Santo and Santa Catarina were the main contributors with 44.7%, 12.1% and 9.9%, respectively. At the municipal level, the highlights were Iacri and Bastos (both in SP) and Santa Maria de Jetibá (ES).

As for rabbits, 236.186 thousand animals were recorded in 2009, representing a reduction of 10.0% compared with the volume of 2008. Rio Grande do Sul accounted for the highest national share, with 38.9% of the total volume. The municipalities of Mogi das Cruzes (SP), Feira de Santana (BA) and Dois Irmãos (RS) stood out as the highest producers.

Increase in milk, hen and quail eggs and honey; decline in cocoons and wool

Milk production in 2009 reached 29.112 billion liters, an increase of 5.6% compared with the previous year. The main producers were Minas Gerais (27.2%), Rio Grande do Sul (11.7%) and Paraná (11.5%). The biggest producer was Castro (PR), followed by Patos de Minas (MG) and Piracanjuba (GO).

In 2009, a rise of 4.2% was recorded for the production of hen eggs, reaching 3.203 billion dozens. São Paulo was the main producer, contributing with 26.9%, followed by Minas Gerais (12.0%) and Paraná (10.5%). The municipality of Bastos (SP) was the biggest national producer (6.3%), ahead of Santa Maria de Jetibá (ES) and Itanhandu (MG), with 4.7% and 2.6%, respectively.

The amount of quail eggs reached 192.195 million dozens in 2009, a rise of 21.8% in relation to 2008. São Paulo was the main producer, with 56.6% of the national total. Iacri and Bastos (both in SP) and Santa Maria de Jetibá (ES) were the municipal highlights.

Bee honey evolved positively, 2.6% in the year, totaling 36.765 thousand tons. It is worth highlighting Rio Grande do Sul, Paraná and Ceará as the biggest producers, with 18.5%, 12.5% and 12.2% of contribution, respectively. The municipality of Limoeiro do Norte (CE) occupied the first position in the national production, followed by Araripina (PE) and Apodi (RN).

In 2009, 4.954 thousand tons of silkworm cocoons were produced, accounting for a drop of 19.6% compared with the volume of 2008. The production was basically concentrated in three states: Paraná (90.0% of the national production), São Paulo and Mato Grosso do Sul.

11.395 thousand tons of wool were produced in 2009, a contraction of 2.1% against the volume recorded a year ago. Rio Grande do Sul stood out as the main producer, with 91.6% of the national contribution, followed by Paraná (4.6%) and Santa Catarina (2.3%). The main municipal producers were Santana do Livramento, Alegrete and Uruguaiana (all in RS).