Fattening Calves
Our calves are born and raised happily on an extensive basis throughout the country. When they reach 6/7 months of age, they are weaned and prepared to enter our fattening pens, where they will age for about 4 months before being exported.
HCR has about 1,500 cows in an extensive regime, fed exclusively on pasture, which satisfy about 5% of the company's annual demand. The remaining 95% are purchased from local producers/partners who rigorously meet the quality and animal health requirements sought by our experienced buyers.
Genetics
As far as the genetics of our calves are concerned, we favor crosses with pure bulls of the Limousine , Charolais and Aberdeen-Angus breed. The combination of two breeds aims to improve efficiency in meat production. The benefit generated by the use of industrial crosses is that of being able to explore the effects of heterosis or hybrid vigor, which are related not only to the productive scope (weight gain, carcass weight and fertility) but also to the qualitative aspect of the carcass ( better finish, marbling and softness). Additionally, crossbreeding makes it possible to obtain healthier animals that are resistant to the weather conditions of Alentejo, when compared to pure breeds.
Health and wellness
Our calves only enter the "final" phase of fattening when they are 100% healthy. In order to guarantee the health of the farms, we have a highly qualified team of veterinarians that assures the health and welfare of animals throughout the entire production process. When entering fattening, we apply a vaccination plan recommended by the best veterinarians worldwide. Concerning the administration of antibiotics, our caretakers check daily the health of animals and only apply them when strictly necessary and recommended by the veterinary team. Food is provided by partners with many years of experience in animal nutrition, since HCR only works with leading Iberian companies. However, the entire feed is carefully analyzed on a weekly basis in order to guarantee the quality parameters required by us.
Transport
Since the animals are 100% acquired in the national territory, they are only subject to transport twice: when they arrive at the farm and when they are exported. Regarding arrivals, trips have a reduced average duration, in trucks specially designed for this purpose. With regard to export, the cattle are carefully transported in trucks to the ship, where they are subsequently allocated by pens according to their size and sex, in order to make the trip more convenient for them. The stable-ships are carefully inspected by the local authorithy and all animal welfare conditions are ensured such as food, footage per animal and health, with trips being accompanied by a highly qualified veterinary team.