Sept. 30 is the deadline for signing up for the BEEF magazine tour of the Brazilian cattle industry. Set for Jan. 18-28, 2012, the trip promises an up-close and first-hand look at this South American agricultural powerhouse.

Included are stops at seedstock, cattle ranching and feeding operations in Brazil’s west-central region, an area of subtropical cattle farming. The tour is designed to show the whole chain of Brazilian beef production and marketing, with other stops including a livestock auction, cattle production research center and, tentatively, a processing facility. Also on the itinerary are selected tourist and natural attractions, such as Rio de Janeiro’s Sugarloaf Mountain, Corcovado and world-famous beaches.

“During our 10-day trip, you will be immersed into Brazilian culture, with the opportunity to meet families that have been in the cattle business for generations. We’ll sample their hospitality, and taste the tantalizing Brazilian Churrasco beef,” says Renata Stephens, travel coordinator and tour guide. Also serving as a guide will be Burt Rutherford, BEEF senior editor.

Brazil has the world’s second-largest cattle herd, second only to India, and its agricultural sector is exploding. In fact, from 1996 to 2006, Brazil increased its beef exports tenfold, overtaking Australia as the world’s largest exporter. In that time, the total value of Brazil’s crops increased by 365% to $108 billion. Brazil is the world’s largest exporter of poultry, sugar cane, orange juice and ethanol.

Price of the trip is $5,590/person, and is limited to 25 participants. The U.S. departure point is Miami, FL. You can view the itinerary here and view a gallery of our last trip in 2008 here. For more information, contact Stephens at [email protected] or 612-802-2388; or Joe Roybal at 952-851-4669.