College of Agricultural Sciences students explore beef production in Brazil

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — To learn more about beef production abroad, nine students from Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences spent their spring break in Brazil.

Tara Felix, associate professor of animal science and beef cattle extension specialist, developed the embedded component of ANSC 399: Beef Cattle Production in Brazil in 2025. She said she chose Brazil as the focus because, for the first time in history, Brazil surpassed the United States in pounds of beef production.

“We need beef from all over the world to feed the world,” she said. “If students understand and appreciate that, they share the importance of the global beef supply chain with producers, legislators and consumers. They become advocates.”

Erika Ganda, assistant professor of food animal microbiomes, and graduate student Ingrid Lara Bordin Fernandes also traveled with the class.

Emmalin Pringle, of Bellefonte, is a third-year animal science student. As someone who grew up with dairy cattle, Pringle saw this trip as an opportunity to learn more about the beef industry and how Brazilian practices differ from practices in the U.S.

Miracle Banta, of Queens, New York, is a fourth-year biology student. She is applying to veterinary schools and said she wanted to take this course to learn more about beef production. Banta also has studied abroad in Africa during her time at Penn State.

“I appreciate learning how countries utilize different technologies and seeing how management practices overlap,” she said.

After arriving in Brasília, Brazil, the students had the opportunity to explore attractions such as Praça dos Três Poderes and Catedral Metropolitana. Next, they visited several local cattle farms around Goiânia.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to travel to Brazil,” Pringle said. “I appreciate Dr. Felix and everyone who organized this trip, and the producers who gave us tours, showed us their operations, and answered our many questions.”

The trip also included a visit to Aliança da Terra, an organization that promotes land management and environmental protection within agricultural and livestock production.

Students explored a facility owned by JBS, a Brazilian livestock company, and learned about the organization’s ongoing projects. Next, the class toured Campo Nutrição Animal, which specializes in nutrient products for beef and dairy cattle, and Embrapa, a research corporation under the aegis of the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.

Finally, the group spent a day visiting the Federal University of Goiás (UFG). The students at the university organized a symposium for attendees to hear from Brazilian and American educators. Felix explained that the class also was invited to attend a meeting at the vice president’s office.

While at the university, Penn State and UFG signed a memorandum of understanding. This memorandum, spearheaded by Ganda, will enhance future relationships between the two universities.

“This was a momentous occasion and one that many of the students highlighted when discussing their favorite parts of the trip,” Felix said.

As she prepares for veterinary school, Banta said her favorite part of the trip was meeting other veterinary students at UFG.

“It was cool to see how their campus was organized and learn how their education journey differs from ours,” Banta said.

Pringle added, “At every farm we visited, we were greeted with hospitality and excitement. Many of the farmers rearranged their day and even their harvesting schedules to spend the time with us and teach us about their operations.”

There are many benefits to studying abroad, the students said. For example, meeting with producers and agricultural research developers enabled Banta to build her network and enhance her professional communication skills.

“Academically, it allowed me to be immersed in different management techniques and reminded me why it is important to think outside of the box,” she said.

Felix hopes the students walked away from the trip with a better understanding of the benefits of global beef production.

“The United States will never do everything the same as Brazil or any other country, but we can still do what we do well and learn how to produce beef better by observing and learning from other systems,” Felix said.

Before studying abroad, Banta recommends students learn as much as possible about the trip.

“If you have questions, don’t be afraid to ask,” she said. “That can make all the difference in your experience.”

Pringle added that it is important to embrace flexibility.

“Traveling does not always go as planned,” Pringle said. “Be willing to change plans and, when given the opportunity, step outside of your comfort zone and meet new people.”

Funding from Ag Sciences Global and the college’s Office for Undergraduate Education supported this program. Students in the course applied for and received funding from the Earl and Kay Harbaugh Endowment for International Programs in the College of Agricultural Sciences, the Dr. Marion P. Cullen International Travel Endowment in Animal Science, the Mellinger Award, the Terry and Adriana Muth Ag Sciences Global Support Fund, and the George Settlemyer Fund for International Agriculture Experiences.