Research reveals key insights into breeding Brahmans

Early research from the Southern Multi Breed project has uncovered key insights that will help breeding Brahman cattle into the future.

At the August Australian Brahman Breeders' Association conference in Brisbane, NSW DPIRD livestock research scientist Dr. Brad Walmsley presented early results from the Southern Multi Breed Project, including carcase and growth performance.

Dr Walmsley highlighted from these findings that there is as much variation within the breeds as there is between the breeds in the project.

Some of the preliminary findings include records in birth weights that range from 8kg to 72kg with an average birth weight of 38kg overall with the Brahman breed recording weights above and below that average.

When comparing carcase performance, Dr Walmsley said the Brahmans showed a high degree of variation in marbling between the best and worst performing steers.

That variation was larger than seen in the crossbreds or straight breeds.

Dr Walmsley said this indicates there is potential to breed for higher marbling it in all breeds, including Brahmans, given the variation found.

For more information on the research presented at the conference, please contact Brad at brad.walmsley@dpi.nsw.gov.au

The project is co-funded by NSW DPIRD, UNE, Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and the Commonwealth Government through the MLA Donor Company (MDC).