Small farmers often maintain a few cattle for milk, for a quick sale when a financial crisis looms, and to provide manure for crops. Cattle-raising thus transcends farm size. Cattle's impressive role in the regional economy is not simply an artefact of fiscal policy incentives. In the vicinity of Parauapebas, at the base of the Caraj s range in southern Par , cattle pasture with varying degrees of invasion by weeds accounts for about 90 per cent of the cleared land after 10 years of settlement. A variety of cultural and socio-economic forces have propelled cattleraising to one of the leading economic activities in both pioneer areas and longsettled parts of Amazonia.
Cattle represent capital assets that can be readily sold when a crisis or opportunity arises.
Cattle-raising is not labour intensive, an important consideration in rural Amazonia where the paucity of available workers is a perennial complaint. Milk production is another powerful force behind the sowing of grasses in Amazonia. Small farmers, in particular, are keen to maintain a few cows to provide milk for the family. Small and medium-sized ranches, such as in the vicinity of Marab , provide milk for the market as well. Large-scale operators tend to concentrate on beef production.