The Great Pig Massacre

A Multispecies History of Agricultural Modernization in Brazil’s Southern Frontier Region during the Great Acceleration

Abstract

The historiography of the Anthropocene suggests, at least in a generic way, the dramatic contribution of humans to the transformations of the planet, especially in recent centuries. One of the contemporary criticisms of the Anthropocene concept and its approach within the humanities is its failure to incorporate certain epistemological advances developed by areas such as post-humanism or the study of relations between humans and non-humans. Based on this perspective, this study analyses agricultural modernization in the Southern Frontier (Fronteira Sul) region of Brazil during the Great Acceleration, arguing that conflicting episodes involving human and non-human elements exemplify disputes in the scientific, technological, and industrial fields like that between the dominant but ‘decadent’ animal fat (lard) and the more versatile vegetable oil made from soy. This battle between oils and fats also gave rise to social struggles and new hierarchies – not just regionally, but on multiple scales. Methodologically, this study intersperses the analysis of regional events with national and global changes linked to economic, political, and scientific debates and the associated intentions regarding the management of pigs, soybeans, and viruses. In addition to the bibliography on the subject, I use articles from contemporary newspapers and scientific journals as well as technical articles and an interview.