Brazil could soon challenge the United States’ status as the leader in global beef production as it adopts more U.S.-style production methods, according to Iowa farmers on a two-week study tour of the South American country.

"I think their opportunity for growth is huge," said Jason Brockshus, a Sibley dairy farmer who is among 22 Farm Bureau members learning about livestock production in the Brazilian states of Mato Grosso do Sul and Sao Paulo during the 14-day...