Caracterización de la genética importada de reproductores de razas carniceras

Uruguay is an important exporter of beef, supported by predominantly pasture-based production systems and a national herd composed mainly of British breeds, particularly Aberdeen Angus and Hereford. In this context, genetics plays a key role in sustaining and improving productivity levels, making the importation of bovine semen an increasingly important strategy for genetic progress. However, there is limited systematized information regarding the geographic origin of imported semen and the breed composition, information that is essential for evaluating whether the genetic material introduced aligns with the country’s production conditions. The objective of this study was to characterize the origin of genetic material imported by Uruguay between 2020 and 2024, identifying the main supplying countries as well as the volume and breed distribution of the semen commercialized. Official records from the Ministerio de Ganadería, Agricultura y Pesca (MGAP) were used as the primary data source. These records were organized, cleaned, and analyzed using descriptive statistical methods supported by Microsoft Excel. Results show a strong geographic concentration of imports: the United States and Argentina jointly provided more than 85% of the 1,416,069 semen doses imported during the period. The United States remained the dominant supplier, while Argentina consistently contributed a significant share. Other countries—such as Australia, Canada, Spain, Germany, and England—displayed much lower and often irregular participation. Regarding breed composition, the findings confirm the predominance of Aberdeen Angus and Hereford, which form the genetic foundation of the Uruguayan beef herd. Angus imports remained stable at around 200,000 doses per year, with the United States as the main source. In the case of Hereford, although the United States also led, Australia played a notable role in 2022, when this breed reached its peak volume of imports. A gradual diversification of genetic sources was also observed, with the incorporation of synthetic breeds such as Brangus and Braford—almost exclusively sourced from Argentina—and specialized breeds such as Wagyu, which increased its presence in recent years. These patterns reveal a marked dependence on genetic sources developed under production systems that differ from Uruguay’s extensive pastoral model. This raises challenges related to genotype × environment interactions, since materials evaluated under intensive conditions—particularly in the United States—may not fully express their genetic potential under pasture-based systems. This highlights the need for local validation mechanisms to ensure the adaptive performance of imported genetics. In conclusion, this study provides a detailed characterization of Uruguay’s recent bovine semen import trends, principally from intensive systems, the predominance of British breeds, and the emergence of genetic diversification. The results reinforce the importance of complementing imported genetics with national evaluation and selection programs that ensure adaptation to Uruguay’s production environment, promoting sustainable genetic progress aligned with the country’s pastoral systems.