Cattle Breeding - Nicaragua

Cattle breeding is a tradition in Nicaragua, and has been a fundamental economic rubric in the Nicaraguan exportations for more than 150 years.

Currently, of the nearly five million acres of existing farmland in Nicaragua, only 15-18% is under continuous agricultural use. Nearly all the rest is pastureland. The Food and Agricultural Association’s figures show that there were just over 1.7 million head of cattle in the country last year—only 60% of the total amount in 1978. Current milk and beef production represents, respectively, 45% and 65% of the production of those years.

There is a great potential in organic meat, as more and more consumers have begun to prefer the quality and reduced fat content of meat from cattle fed on natural pastures and grains, free of pesticides and free of synthetic hormones. Worldwide, organic meat could generate up to $5 billion a year with demand growing at an annual rate of 20 percent. And with its extensive pastureland that in most cases is already pesticide-free, Nicaragua is well-positioned to enter this market.

Nicaraguan cattle ranchers, through an USAID program , are increasing their ability to compete in world markets. Since the program started, nearly 8,000 head of cattle have been certified as organic. Foreign buyers in the United States and in other countries have been highly impressed with the quality of Nicaraguan beef, and consequently representatives of Nicaragua’s cattle industry and Ministry of Agriculture are further exploring market possibilities.

Nicaragua cattle include predominantly Brahman, crossbred with European breeds such as, Holstein, Brown Swiss and Simmental among others. Cattle feeding in Nicaraguan is based on pasture. Nicaragua is the country with the major number of livestock in Central America, with an annual increase of at least 10%. The country takes pride on being free of bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

Cattle Breeding

Brahman
The Brahman breed originated from Bos indicus cattle originally brought from India. Through centuries of exposure to inadequate food supplies, insect pests, parasites, diseases and the extreme climatic conditions of tropical India, the native cattle developed some remarkable adaptations for survival.

Holstein
Holstein cattle, also known as Holstein-Friesian cattle or Friesian cattle, is a breed of cattle known for its outstanding milk production. It is recognized as the world’s highest production dairy animal. Holstein are large in size, a healthy calf weighs 40 to 45 kg or more at birth, and a mature Holstein cow typically weighs close to 580 kg. They have very distinctive black and white markings that can be anywhere from mostly black to mostly white, or half and half. The markings can also be red and white.

Brown Swiss
The Brown Swiss is known for producing the second largest quantity of milk, over 20,000 lbs per annum. The milk from the Brown Swiss contains on average 4% butterfat and 3.5% protein, making it excellent for production of cheese. The Brown Swiss is characterized by large furry ears, and an extremely docile temperament. The Brown Swiss is quite a resilient breed of cattle, hardy and capable of subsisting with little care or feed.

Simmental
The Simmental breed of cattle is used for dairy, beef and as draught animals. They are particularly known for the rapid growth of their young. The Simmental has red and white spotted or gold and white color combination, though there is no specific standard of color.

Precious Woods - Wood Forest

Nicaragua considers sustainable forestry as a priority for economic development.

Teak
In 2006, the Nicaragua Precious Woods Project was created, with, plans to turn former cattle ranches in southern Nicaragua into new-growth teak forests. The project is designed to absorb nearly 300,000 tons of CO2 emissions by the year 2017 and generate carbon credits for sale on international markets while conserving large extensions of secondary forests and mature trees.

In the span of a generation when the new teak trees mature, they will create a sustainable and commercially viable source of wood for sale in domestic and international markets, reducing logging in natural forests. This project is intended to increase carbon sequestration while providing a sustainable source of income for the community. Additional environmental benefits from reforestation include the prevention of erosion, groundwater protection, soil regeneration, and improving the microclimate and water balance.

Teak, though not indigenous to the region, is perfectly adapted to the environmental conditions in Nicaragua. This type of tree is also highly resistant to fire– after two to three years saplings are not susceptible to damage by fire, and while the dry season in Nicaragua disrupts growth for other tree species, teak flourishes in tropical regions with much longer dry spells. Further, teak is not susceptible to any devastating pests typical of the tropics.

Mahogany
The name mahogany refers to numerous varieties of dark-colored hardwood.

Three species of real mahogany have been identified in America: the almost extinct Cuba-mahogany, the internationally commercialized rainforest mahogany, and the Pacific mahogany. The latter is exclusive to the small area of dry forest with harsh conditions in Nicaragua and El Salvador.

Mahogany is characterized by a straight grain and absence of voids and pockets. It has a reddish-brown color which darkens over time, and displays a reddish sheen when polished. The wood has excellent workability and durability.

Most of the first-quality furniture made in the American colonies from the mid 18th century was made of mahogany, when the wood first became available to American craftsmen. Mahogany is still widely used for fine furniture. Mahogany is also resistant to wood rot, being suitable in boat construction. It is also often used for musical instruments, particularly the backs of acoustic guitars and drums shells, because of its ability to produce very deep, warm tones.

Bamboo
Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants. It has been measured surging skyward as fast as 100 cm (39 in) in a 24-hour period. It is typical to regions of warmer climates.

The Bamboo tree has found uses in numerous areas like medicine, construction, textiles, paper and construction.

FRUIT TREES

Lemon Tree

Lemon
The bitter taste of lemon is also often used to enrich the taste of drinks or to make lemonade.  Nicaraguan lemons are green at first, and they turn yellow when the fruit ripens.  There is also one lemon species that is much sweeter than regular lemons.  This variant, called sweet lemon or “limon dulce” is about the size of an orange and can be peeled and eaten by itself.

The lemon tree is a medium-sized tree with many branches that produces fruit almost year-round.

Orange
The orange is one of the best fruits for making a healthy, delicious fruit juice or to eat fresh. There are several varieties of orange and different hybrids produced in Nicaragua. The fruit is characterized by a round shape and a green to yellow color as it ripens, and orange pulp when ready for consumption. The medium-sized orange trees can produce 500-1500 fruits every season.

Sour Orange
Another type of orange that is consumed in Nicaragua is known as “naranja agria.” This variety is similar to its sweet relative, but it is characterized by a slightly wrinkled rind and a sour taste. Sour oranges are primarily used to enhance the taste of other foods and drinks.

Mandarin Orange
This citrus fruit is similar to the orange. Mandarin oranges are round but characterized by a flattened top and bottom. The rind changes from green to orange and yellow, and it is easy to peel off. Mandarins can be easily taken apart into individual segments. The fruit is juicy and sweet. Numerous mandarin varieties are grown in Nicaragua.

Tamarind
The tamarind tree is a large tree that can reach up to 20 meters in height. After the tree was introduced from Africa into Latin America, it became popular for its durable wood and the shade that it can provide. It is also used for consumption in the form of tamarind juice.

Tamarind trees start producing seed pods after about 6 years. They flower from May until June, which can extend until August. The pods finish growing between December and March.

Mamon
Spanish lime is a small round fruit that grows in bunches. The fruit is locally known as “mamoncillo” and can be eaten as hand fruit, easily sucking the pulp out of the rind, or to make juice.

The tree of this fruit reaches heights of 20 to 30 meters, and it grows throughout most of Nicaragua in patios and at farms. The fruit is mostly harvested from June to August.

Avocados
In Nicaragua there are several commercial varieties of avocados, plus some other local varieties. They can be found throughout the country and almost year-round as the different varieties ripen at different times of the year.

Sapote
Sapote is family of the sapodilla fruit, characterized by a larger oval shape that can measure up to 18 cm in diameter. The rind is thick and has a reddish coffee color. The pulp, which is red or orange, is very soft and sweet, and the fruit contains two long, black seeds at its center. The fruit can be eaten by itself, right out of the rind, and the inner part of the seed can also be used for confectionery called “cajeta de zapoyol.”

The medium to large sapote tree originates in Central America, and different varieties can be found throughout the country. It produces fruit year-round, with a peak season from April to August.

Arabica Coffee - Arabica Coffee Beans

Central American coffee is characterized by a classic clean flavor, a light to medium body and a good acidity balanced profile. Producing first class coffee is of great importance to the national economy.

Coffee Beans Overflowing From Burlap Sack

There are three main varieties of beans, namely Arabica, the oldest cultivated coffee plant known for the best flavor, and Robusta and Liberica plants primarily used as commodity coffee found in most coffee blends.

Scenic View of Lake in Nicaragua

Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America with an area of 130,373 km2. The population in Nicaragua hovers at approximately 6 million. The capital city of Managua is the most populous with over 1.5 million inhabitants.

The country limits with Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The Pacific Ocean lies to the west and the Caribbean to the east. It sits in the tropics between 11 degrees and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere.

The population includes varied ethnicities including indigenous native tribes from the Mosquito Coast, Europeans, Africans, Asians and people of Middle Eastern origin. The main language is Spanish. Of the Spanish-speaking countries in Central America, Nicaragua is where the use of the voseo form of address is most widespread.

The mixture of cultural traditions has generated substantial diversity in art, cuisine, literature, and music.

Map of Nicaragua

Nicaragua is endowed with abundance of biologically significant and unique ecosystems, and as such it is designated as a biodiversity hotspot. In fact, Nicaragua’s biological diversity, warm tropical climate, and active volcanoes make it an increasingly popular destination for tourists, surfers, biologists, and volcanologists.

Nicaragua’s agricultural and cattle farming have been a fundamental part of the country’s exports for more than 150 years. Historically known as the “breadbasket of Central America”, Nicaragua is known for its fertile soils.

Nicaragua is primarily an agricultural country; agriculture constitutes 60% of its total exports which annually yield approximately US $300 million. Nicaragua’s agrarian economy has historically been based on the export of cash crops such as coffee, sugar and beef. Light industry (maquila), tourism, banking, mining, fisheries, and general commerce are expanding. On the Pacific side, coffee and cotton are by far the most important commercial crops. Since 1992, more land has been devoted to coffee than to any other crop, and it is the nation’s leading export in terms of value.

In the last seven years, the country has seen positive growth in the tourism sector, such that by 2006 tourism had become the second largest industry in the nation, and by 2007, it became the first largest industry in Nicaragua. The country has seen a growth of about 70% nationwide with rates of 10%–16%. The increase in growth led to the income from tourism to rise more than 300% over a period of 10 years. The growth in tourism has positively affected the agricultural, commercial, and finance industries, as well as the construction industry.