‘Chameleon’ breed that adapts everywhere

The Brahman breed has made a remarkable contribution towards the stud and commercial industry in Namibia and South Africa.

As is the case with the Simmentaler, it started with a pioneer in this country.

The first and formal adoption of the word Brahman originated with the inception of the American Brahman Breeders Association (ABBA) in 1924. Cattlemen attending their organisational meeting wrestled with the question of what to name this American Bos Indicus breed that Mr JW Startwelle called “… an entirely new breed of beef cattle”.

Mr Startwelle, the first Secretary of ABBA and early driving force of their association, was indeed historically instrumental, when he suggested the word Brahman.

EARLY HISTORY IN SOUTHERN AFRICA

The introduction of the Brahman to the southern African beef cattle scene originated back in 1954 when Mr Jürgen Crantz of Windhoek initially imported eight males and ten females from Texas, USA, to be landed at Cape Town harbour.

Five of these bulls originated from Mr JD Hudgins, while one came from Mr Albert B Fay, another one from Mr VW Frost, and one from Lazy 3 Ranch. All ten females were from the famous JD Hudgins Ranch.

Breeders today salute the inspirations and motivations of Crantz as the pioneer who unknowingly laid the foundation of what would have become a major breed in the production of red meat in Southern Africa.

Mr W Woker of Windhoek and Nuanetzi Ranch Ltd., the Normar stud of Mr AI Marais and Mr C Scheepers, all from South Africa, made other early imports in 1954. Breeders who were particularly prominent by importing many animals between 1954 and 1971 were, among others, JFW Herbst and son, JB Orpen of the Bar Circle Stud, Sisal Brahmans of Mr Eric Bilse, Ban Cattle Co. of Mr Louis Bosman, D Terblanche, RELH Hunt, the Code Brahman Stud of Mr AJ Coetzer and Mr BJ Maritz.

The contribution Brahmans have made towards the South African stud and commercial industry can be described as remarkable, especially during the first three decades starting in 1960.

The distinctive appearance of the Brahman during the subsequent decade sets them apart from any other traditional beef breed in southern Africa. The hump on top of its shoulders, large pendulous ears, abundant folds of skin and distinctive colour have contributed towards the phenomenal growth being recorded in those days.

The membership of 41 in 1960 increased by 465.85 % within the first ten years, births during the same period by 1 296.64 %, registrations by 581.63 % and transfers by 1 542,64 %. This brought the Brahman into the limelight after only 10 years and remarks by the press such as the “Brahman is like a Chameleon because he adapts everywhere” were made in those days.

The use of the Brahman as a maternal line has become significant due to the dramatic changes in the composition of the national beef population in Southern Africa

Official figures show that where the Afrikaner represented almost 45% of the market share in 1965, the situation changed dramatically in 1985 to retain only 7.0 % of the registrations at the SA Stud Book and Livestock Improvement Association. Brahman registrations on the other hand increased from 4.4 % to almost 57.0 % during the same period. Currently there are 572 members with a total number of +60 000 enrolled animals in South Africa.

THE BRAHMAN IN NAMIBIA

Over the past 60 years the Brahman has dramatically influenced and changed the composition of the Namibian national cattle herd. This is due to its ability to cross so well with virtually any other breed of cattle as well as its hardiness and adaptability, that allow them to thrive in the harsh Namibian conditions.

The Namibian Brahman Breeders Society is dedicated to serving the interest of the Brahman breed in the country. The council, selected out of and by the members of the society, is continuously striving to improve our service to both the breed and breeders through marketing, research, training, use of modern technology, etc.

The NBBS is currently the largest breeders society in Namibia and the member count is growing year after year.

WHY BRAHMAN?

There is one beef breed in Southern Africa that has changed the composition of commercial herds due to its versatile performance. Cosmetically or genetically the Brahman breed in the commercialisation of the livestock industry, is an option that should be reckoned with.

The breed provides:

· Three ways for profit or three ways for adding value to your genetic product by means of:

(a) Breeding of registered Brahmans;

(b) Breeding of F1-Brahman females;

(c) Breeding of a composite breed.

· Genetic versatility (Grey Brahman, Red Brahman, Gyr, Nelore, Indu Brazil and Guzerat) due to its genetic uniqueness.

· More hybrid vigour with reference to:

(a) Percentage conceived: 70.1 – 100.00%

(b) Calving difficulty: 0.0 – 10.0%

(c) Weaning mass and wean/cow mass ration: 50.6%

(d) FCR (Feed conversion rate): +6.7%

(e) ADG (Average daily gain): +16.8%

· A more sought after Fl- female (Mama-cow) animal as common denominator for the breeding of those sought after crossbred calves for the feedlot.

· Hardiness and adaptability due to low maintenance requirements, heat tolerance, disease resistance and bloat resistance.

· The annual publishing of a Breed and Judges Policy since 1989.

· An Elite Register Programme (ERP) where a bull’s progeny in the show (phenotype) is linked with his estimated breeding values – EBV’s (genotype).

· A genetic bull analysis (BLUP) since 1986 with trait leaders for birth, weaning, 12-month and 18-month mass.

· An opportunity to identify bulls according to minimum and maximum EBV’s.

· An opportunity to obtain over a longer period of weight (R-c) premium on carcasses which are currently being graded as A and AB, merely as a result of the late cutting of teeth at an age of 32 months.

· Early marketability. Empirical research has proved that Brahman and Brahman crossbreeds are market-ready at 30 months. Their age for market availability was 6.9 months earlier that that of comparable breeds, while their growth rate was 21% faster.

· An uninterrupted bi-monthly prestige publication since 1981, The Brahman Journal.

· It’s own consumer friendly computerised registration system since March 1992 which provides optimal accessibility to its animal data records.

· An autonomous Performance Testing Register since 1 June 1999 which includes the calculation of estimated breeding values.

· Accessibility to ± 570 members and ± 60,000 enrolled head of cattle?

· The opportunity of joining the Society by means of comprehensive membership or where a related person can join as a sub-member?

· An extended and scientific, country-wide breed improvement service.

IN A NUTSHELL

Economic Efficiency:

· Reduces financial inputs by efficient utilization of extensive grazing.

Lengthens Marketing Period:

· Qualifies for A and AB grades for as long as 32 months

Longevity:

· The inherent capacity to be still productive at a very high age (15-18 years).

Parasite Resistance:

· Due to the animals smooth coat, loose pliable skin, black pigmentation and oil gland secretion (cebum), the breed is capable of controlling parasites efficiently.

Hardiness:

· The ability of the breed to perform and reproduce despite extreme environmental conditions

Adaptability:

· To excel in diverse environmental conditions.

Mothering ability:

· Excellent instinctive ability to protect calf and create an ideal environment for it.

Calving ease:

· The inherent capacity of the cow to restrict prenatal growth with resulting lower birth weight. The characteristic sloping rump furthermore eases the birth process

Heterosis (hybrid vigour):

· King of heterosis

*Information: www.brahmanshop.co.za