GENETICS

For a herd to be successful, two conditions must be present -

We are not here to discuss management options, or what constitutes 'good' management. Suffice it to say that most of you already know, and, to a lesser or greater degree, practice it.

Genetics on the other hand, is always a little harder to define. Using a vey simple analogy - a mule is a mule and will not win the Melbourne Cup, no matter how well trained, fed, groomed or how good the jockey is. FACT.

Therefore it follows that if you want a herd with specific characteristics, specific genetic changes are needed. Internationally, Braunveih are well recognised as being a near perfect combination breed in both Milk and Beef production.

 

The Spade Ranch - Texas
"Braunvieh-sired steers and heifers out performed all other breed groups produced by Spade ranches in the feed lot. On a cost of grain basis, the Braunvieh pens had the cheapest pens that we fed this year"
- Jim McAdams

John Hall - Hedley - Texas
"I beleive it is realistic to expect 98% to 100% choice marbling and one to two yeild grade with the right cattle and correct management"
Talking about Angus-Braunveih cross.

Keith Carmichael, "The Cutting Edge" genetics and cattle research firm in Lowry City Missouri
Phone: 417 644 2993
Results of Braunveih VBM test (103 bulls) from ten different ranches in six States. No particular bloodline dominated the study.

Days in Feed Lot
Ultrasounded choice or better marbling
Yield Grade two or better (Less than .43in back fat)
099 days
97 bulls
103 bulls
150 days
97 bulls
103 bulls

The gene that causes marbling is not the same gene that controls back fat. As a comparison, Angus bulls that reach choice marbling, almost always have .6 inches of back fat or more, and will very rarely reach choice marbling in much under 150 days in a feed lot.

It is also interesting to note that when the Braunveihs were kept in a feed lot for a longer period (150 days) their condition did not deteriorate in terms of marbling or back fat, the average weight gain was 150 lbs. (Approx. 68 Kgs.) between 99 days and 150 days