Barzona
A Breed for a Lifetime of Success
The Barzona are a breed of beef cattle that were developed in the high desert, inter-mountain region of Arizona, United States. They are a combination of Africander, Hereford, Beef Shorthorn and Angus in approximately equal proportions. They have been bred to be especially hardy and have good heat, insect and disease tolerance. The Barzona was developed in the early 20th Century.
- Low birth weight, problem free calving
- Strong instinctive maternal traits
- Low input, graze in drought conditions
- Adaptable to any environment, from sea to shining sea
- And that's no bull!
- Low birth weight, problem free calving
- Strong instinctive maternal traits
- Low input, graze in drought conditions
- Adaptable to any environment, from sea to shining sea
- And that's no bull!
Hoping to develop a breed that would be adaptable to their area which was rugged and rocky, with extreme temperatures, sparse rainfall, and scattered feed.
The Barzona is truly a production breed developed to match their genetics and production to the environment. The modern Barzona has been bred and selected for good disposition, udder quality, and longevity.
The Barzona is truly a production breed developed to match their genetics and production to the environment. The modern Barzona has been bred and selected for good disposition, udder quality, and longevity.
Characteristics
Modern Barzona are a medium size beef animal. Actual mature size varies somewhat with the environment. It is distinguishable by its longish head and may be either horned or polled. Barzona are generally orange-red, but color may vary from dark to light red, with occasional white on the underline or switch.
Hardiness
The infusion of Africander blood into the Barzona gene pool has much to do with the breed's exceptional hardiness. It is said that Barzona calves are hardy and exhibit outstanding vigor at birth. In addition, information from the registry states that pinkeye and cancer eye are almost nonexistent in the breed due to their dark pigmentation and deeper eye set.
Barzona cows are considered good mothers and the bulls are regarded as aggressive in their breeding performance.
Selection has been made for hardiness traits that include good wearing feet and legs, and the ability to walk with ease, graze sparse ranges and survive under arid conditions.
Barzona cows are considered good mothers and the bulls are regarded as aggressive in their breeding performance.
Selection has been made for hardiness traits that include good wearing feet and legs, and the ability to walk with ease, graze sparse ranges and survive under arid conditions.
The results are cows with the following:
- Reach early maturity
- High fertility
- Calving ease
- Able to survive with wild type browsing & grazing
- Able to travel long distance for water
- Heat tolerant
- Disease resistant
- Hard footedness
- Able to breed & wean calf every year that can perform in the feed lot & on the rail