Brahman cattle

Brahman bull in Avaré, Brazil

Brahman calves.

The Brahman (named for the sacred cow of Hinduism) or Brahma is a breed of Zebu cattle (Bos primigenius indicus), later exported from India to the rest of the world. The main breed was the Kankrej, called Guzerat in Brazil. Also used were the Nelore or Ongole and the Gir or Gyr.

Characteristics

The American Brahman has a distinct large hump over the top of the shoulder and neck, and a loose flap of skin (dewlap) hanging from the neck. Their ears are larger than Bos taurus breeds. Bulls weigh 1,600 to 2,200 pounds (800 to 1,100 kg) and cows weigh 1,000 to 1,400 pounds (500 to 700 kg). At birth, calves weigh 60 to 65 pounds (30 to 33 kg). American Brahmans are known as a docile, intelligent breed of beef cattle. Brahman cattle can be gray or red color. Their tail switch is black, and they have black pigmentation on their noses, tips of ears, and hooves. They are primarily a horned breed of cattle however there are some bloodlines of Brahman that are naturally polled (without horns).

Brahmans have a greater ability to withstand heat than European cattle. They have more sweat glands, and also an oily skin, thought to help repel pest insects along with a smooth coat. They have a short hair coat. They are also more resistant to parasites and disease. Brahmans have also been extensively crossbred with European cattle in subtropical United States, in Central America and in some tropical areas of the world to gain their advantages in hot climates. Brahman crossed cattle, referred to as F-1 Brahmans, are very popular in the southern 1/3 of the United States and in South America, Asia, and Australia because of the sub-tropical climate. An F-1 Brahman can be a cross between any two unrelated breeds, however it is most popular when crossed with Hereford and Angus.

A Brahman cow is an extremely good mother, offering protection and an abundance of milk for her calves. Brahman calves tend to measure high weights at weaning because of the outstanding milk given by Brahman cows. In some countries, especially South America, Brahman cattle are used for both milk and beef production.

Breeding and uses

American Brahman cattle was the first breed of beef cattle developed in the United States in the early 1900s as a result of crossing four different Indian cattle breeds (Gyr, Guzerat, Nelore and Krishna Valley). The original American Brahman cattle originated from a nucleus of approximately 266 bulls and 22 females of several Bos indicus (cattle of India) types imported into the United States between 1854 and 1926.

The American Brahman Breeders Association was formed in 1924 as the official herd registry in the United States to track and verify bloodlines of cattle. This organization is headquartered in Houston, Texas. The name "Brahman" was created by the American Brahman Breeder's Association first secretary, Mr. J. W. Sartwelle .^[1]

The Brahman is mainly used for breeding and the meat industry; it has been crossbred extensively with Bos taurus (European) beef breeds of cattle. The Brahman is one of the most popular breeds of cattle intended for meat processing and is widely used in Argentina, Brazil, United States, Colombia and northern Australia (especially in Queensland, the Kimberley (Western Australia) and the Northern Territory) among many other places. It has been used to develop numerous other U.S. beef breeds including Brangus, Beefmaster, Simbrah, and Santa Gertrudis.

Brahman cattle are known for their extreme tolerance to heat conditions, and therefore are used in many tropical regions. They are also resistant to insects due to their thick and abundance of skin coat. Brahman cattle live longer than many other breeds, often still producing calves at ages 15 and older.

In popular culture

In the video game series Fallout, there are two-headed mutated cows called Brahmin, considered an intentionally misspelled reference to the breed.

Scientists at Texas A&M University produced the first-ever calf cloned from an adult bull, which is also the oldest animal ever cloned - a 21-year-old Brahman bull.

Professional baseball player Carlos Lee of the Houston Astros is a breeder of Brahman cattle.

Country music artists The Bellamy Brothers are also former breeders of Brahman cattle.

In the second season finale of the HBO series True Blood, the character of Sam Merlotte shapeshifts into a huge white Brahman Bull in order to deceive and then destroy Maryann Forrester.

Gallery

Brahman bull.

A red brahman cow

Some of the Brahman bulls in a paddock, Tipperary Station, Northern Territory, Australia

References

See also

• Australian Brangus
• Beef cattle
• Braford
• Brangus

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Brahman (cattle)

• Brahman Cattle Information in Oklahoma State Livestock Breeds Directory
• American Brahman Breeders Association
• Australian Brahman Breeders Association
• Brahman Cattle - Cattle.com
• Brahman Cattle Video - A Video on the American Brahman