Brazilian beef cattle industry was built mainly through two imported components: zebu cattle from the Indian subcontinent and tropical grasses from Africa. They interacted positively and with the local climate, soils and management. The last 50 years has shown an unprecedented growth in the cattle population and important increases in production and productivity in spite of the restrictive economic environment. Imported genetic technologies also contributed heavily although after initial import most technologies were adapted for local use. The advent of "CEIP", that allowed superior breeding stock from the recorded, commercial herd to attain the same status in the seedstock sector as pedigree animals, cannot be overstated. For the future, one can foresee full integration of quantitative and molecular technologies with both scientific communities working in harmony. Better understanding of genotypic elements and their interaction with the environment will support new strategies for planned crossbreeding.