Beefalo
Healthy never tasted so good
Beefalo is a species cross between Bison (buffalo) and domestic cattle of any breed. The purpose of the species cross was to blend the outstanding qualities of the Bison with outstanding qualities of the bovine breeds of the world.
The basis of the Beefalo program is the full blood, an animal which is exactly 3/8 Bison and 5/8 bovine. There is no stipulation on the breed used to make up the 5/8 bovine, but any of the beef breeds is generally used.
The basis of the Beefalo program is the full blood, an animal which is exactly 3/8 Bison and 5/8 bovine. There is no stipulation on the breed used to make up the 5/8 bovine, but any of the beef breeds is generally used.
Accidental crosses were noticed as long ago as 1749 in the southern English colonies of North America. Beef and bison were first intentionally crossbred during the mid-19th century.
The first deliberate attempts to cross breed bison with cattle was made by Colonel Samuel Bedson, warden of Stoney Mountain Penitentiary, Winnipeg, in 1880. Bedson bought eight bison from a captive herd of James McKay and interbred them with Durham cattle. The hybrids raised by Bedson were described by naturalist Ernest Thompson Seton
The first deliberate attempts to cross breed bison with cattle was made by Colonel Samuel Bedson, warden of Stoney Mountain Penitentiary, Winnipeg, in 1880. Bedson bought eight bison from a captive herd of James McKay and interbred them with Durham cattle. The hybrids raised by Bedson were described by naturalist Ernest Thompson Seton
Characteristics
The Beefalo can vary greatly in appearance but generally it has a moderate frame and is well muscled similar in stature to the Bison. They are very docile in nature. One similarity most Beefalos share is their unique coat with it being very dense and made up of fine hair enabling them to adapt to colder climates.
This is why ranchers prefer this breed compared to others, the Beefalo is hardy in extreme cold as well as extreme heat.
Beefalo calves are born small but grow very fast, cattle producers buy and breed Beefalo for the easier care of animals from weaned to sales auction market. The USDA does not allow anyone to sell or claim their meat is Beefalo beef without registration approval from ABWR, so once registered breeders are open to take full advantage of the great beef selling attributes the breed provides.
This is why ranchers prefer this breed compared to others, the Beefalo is hardy in extreme cold as well as extreme heat.
Beefalo calves are born small but grow very fast, cattle producers buy and breed Beefalo for the easier care of animals from weaned to sales auction market. The USDA does not allow anyone to sell or claim their meat is Beefalo beef without registration approval from ABWR, so once registered breeders are open to take full advantage of the great beef selling attributes the breed provides.
Why Beefalo
- Easy care cattle
- Hardy in extreme cold and extreme heat
- Quality, tasty healthier meat, low in fat and bad cholesterol
- Efficient, non-selective grazers
- More disease resistant than conventional cattle
- Easy calvers and good mothers
- Low birth weights, excellent rate of gain, high weaning rates
- Active breeders
- Longevity
The Beefalo is primarily produced in the USA with several other countries having small herds, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, The Philippines, Panama, South Africa and Germany. Demand is rising, more growers are needed to meet the growing demands for Beefalo meat.