History

Brahman History

The Australian Brahman breed of beef cattle was initially developed in Queensland north of the Tropic of Capricorn and has since been spread to all states of Australia an to many overseas countries where they have adapted to a wide range of environmental and climatic conditions. The Brahman breed originated in the U.S.A. in the early 1900's where it was developed from the progeny of four Indian cattle breeds with some infusion of British breed cattle.

The first significant importation o Brahman cattle into Australia was a shipment of 18 head from America in 1933. Further importations followed between 1950 an 1954 and again since the opening of the Cocos Island Quarantine Station in 1982. Brahmans were introduced because of a need for a beef animal which would adapt to the harsh tropical climatic an environmental conditions.

They are now the most numerous of the tropical breeds in Australia and together with their crosses represent in excess of 70% of the Queensland beef herd. Queensland has the highest number of cattle of any Australian state with about half the national total. The Brahman is able to withstand the stress of internal and external parasites. Their resistance to the cattle tick is of great economic value in the tick areas of Australia and research has almost shown them to be resistant to internal parasites. Brahmans are tolerant to heat. Their highly eveloped sweating mechanism together with their sleet coat and dark pigmente skin equips them well to graze in the hot weather and walk long distances for feed and water.

Their low maintenance requirement and efficiency of feed conversion allows them to survive on poor quality grasses and during periods of food shortage. Brahman cows are renowned for their mothering ability. They produce small calves and have a minimum of calving difficulties, They are good milk producers which has a strong influence on preweaning growth and they are reowned for protecting the calves from predators. Brahman cattle produce excellent carcases. Their superior yield of saleable meat together with their ability to fatten evenly without an excess of fat means they are in demand from butchers and processors.

 

The Brahman Story

The growth and development of the Australian Brahman has been described as the greatest livestock revolution in history. Early importations of Brahman type cattle can be traced back to the early days of colonisation. However, it was not until the importation of 18 head of Brahman cattle from the United States in 1933 that real attempt was made to use their genetics in the development of the Australian beef industry. By 1977 Brahman cattle represented 3.8% of the Queensland cattle herd. The next 10 years saw them increase to 11.2% of the Queensland herd and by 1996 they represented 21.5% of the national beef herd. And their influnce does not stop there as the Brahman cross and Brahman derived breeds make up another 20% of the national herd.

Today it is estimated over 75% of the beef cattle in Queensland contain some Brahman blood. Brahman cattle have transformed the northern beef insdustry from near bankrupt to an efficient and highly profitable enterprise which contributes millions of dollars annually towards domestic and export income. Vast tracts of previously unproductive land have been pioneered and developed into profitable beef enterprises using Brahman cattle.

The brahmans ability to adapt to tropical and sub-tropical environments means beef cattle production in these ares is ecologically sustainable wih minimal management input. Their highly developed digestive system and superior immune response mechanism provides greater efficiency and low impact on the grazin environments of both coastal and extensive interior rangelands grazing systems.Selection over the last 67 years has been directed at improving the carcase and meat quality, weight gain and reproduction to ensure they meet the demands of todays producers and consumers for efficient production of premium quality beef.