The perfect bull for a fight is 4 or 5 years old and weighs between 900-1,200 pounds. According to Sescosse, each rainy season a bull is mated with 30 cows and their offspring are carefully monitored.

Of the bulls on deposit so far, Miuras are the stars. A Miura bull can sell for as much as $11,000, said Eduardo Miura, who runs the 2,500-acre ranch with his brother Antonio.

But matadors like Silveti, as well as fans and cattle breeders, contend this long-time Spanish tradition bears a profound significance that would be undermined if bulls can’t be killed in the arena.

But matadors like Silveti, as well as fans and cattle breeders, contend this long-time Spanish tradition bears a profound significance that would be undermined if bulls can’t be killed in the arena.