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Beef Skillathon

American Breeds

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Brahman | Simbrah | Santa Gertrudis | Brangus | Beefmaster | Braford

A breed of livestock or poultry is a group of animals that result from breeding and selection and that have distinguishable characteristics. Breeds have developed to provide increased production
(meat, milk, eggs and/or wool) in a given environment.

Brahman

  • India
  • A cross of three indian breeds
  • Both red and gray stains exist
  • Both have black pigment
  • Horned
  • Heat tolerant and disease/insect resistant
  • Crossing ability
  • Poor marbling and sexual maturity
  • Thrive in hot, humid environments of southern US
  • Composites:
    • Brangus, Santa Gertrudis, Beefmaste, Braford, Brahmousin, Charbray, Bralers

Simbrah

  • United States
  • 5/8 Simmental
  • 3/8 Brahman
  • Evolved in the late 1960s
  • Brahman provides tolerance and Simmental provides fertility and beef characteristics
  • Registry is kept up by the American Simmental association

Santa Gertrudis

  • United States
  • 5/8 Shorthorn
  • 3/8 Brahman
  • Dark red
  • Both Horned and polled
  • Developed on the king ranch in Kingsville by Robert J. Kleberg
  • Breed traces back to a single sire
  • Noted for maternal ability
  • Productive under hot, adverse conditions, and overall hardy
  • Composite breed
  • Santa Cruz composite breed
    • Developed on the king ranch (50% Santa Gertrudis, 25% Gelbvieh, 25% red angus)

Brangus

  • United States
  • 5/8 Angus
  • 3/8 Brahman
  • Black and naturally polled
  • Excellent mothering ability
  • Moderate size
  • Early sexual maturity
  • Heat tolerance and foraging ability result from two parent breeds
  • Intermediate in carcass merit

Beefmaster

  • United States
  • Developed by Tom Lasater in 1930s in FullFurias, Texas
  • 50% Brahman, 25% Shorthorn, and 25% Hereford
  • No set color pattern
  • Noted for longevity, rapid growth, and maternal ability
  • Largest registration of Bos Indicus breed
  • Developed based on “six essentials” as described by Tom Lasater:
    • Weight, conformation, fertility, hardiness, disposition, milking ability

Braford

  • United States
  • 3/8 Brahman
  • 5/8 Hereford
  • Used for crossbreds

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