Braford
Fertile ... Adaptable ... Efficient
The Braford is a cross between a Hereford bull and a Brahman cow. Conversely, it can also be a cross between a Brahman bull and a Hereford cow. The make up of the Braford is 3/8 Brahman and 5/8 Hereford. Even though a true Braford meets those standards, 1/2 Brahman and 1/2 Hereford cross are known as F1 Brafords or F1 Baldies. They carry the characteristics of both parents. The Braford is red like a Hereford with white underbelly, head, and feet. It is stockier than a Hereford, though, getting the stockiness from the Brahman.
The combination of Hereford and Brahman genes enables this synthetic breed to adapt, thrive and breed in a variety of environments from extreme heat to extreme cold
Braford is a medium-framed beef breed that can thrive on even low-quality veld and wean calves at an average of 45% to 50% of the cow’s weight. Average birth weights are between 30kg and 36kg and weaning weights are between 200kg and 270kg.
Braford is a medium-framed beef breed that can thrive on even low-quality veld and wean calves at an average of 45% to 50% of the cow’s weight. Average birth weights are between 30kg and 36kg and weaning weights are between 200kg and 270kg.
Characteristics
The Braford is red like a Hereford with white underbelly, head, and feet. It is stockier than a Hereford, getting the stockiness from the Brahman. The Braford is primarily used for beef, but sometimes used for rodeo.
Brafords are known for superior maternal ability. Early puberty, fertility, calving ease, optimum milk production, maternal aptitude and productive longevity have earned Brafords this distinguished reputation.
Brafords also have heat and insect resistance beacause of a chemical in their blood, this also makes them ornery by nature. They do best in warm climates.
Brafords are known for superior maternal ability. Early puberty, fertility, calving ease, optimum milk production, maternal aptitude and productive longevity have earned Brafords this distinguished reputation.
Brafords also have heat and insect resistance beacause of a chemical in their blood, this also makes them ornery by nature. They do best in warm climates.
Why Braford
FERTILITY
Fertility is the single most important quality considered in the selection of the SA Braford. The intercalf periods of our top Breedplan cow herds are 368 and 375 respectively, and the society as a whole is aiming to achieve average ICP of 400.
Braford bulls have exceptional libido and strict selection is done on scrotal circumference.
ADAPTABILITY
The winning combination of top Hereford and Brahman genes enables the Braford to adapt, reproduce and thrive in a variety of very different environments from extreme heat to extreme cold, wet and dry environments and Brafords cope extremely well with South African diseases. Current Braford studs operate successfully in Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalange, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Free State, Northern Cape and Eastern Cape. There are also Braford breeders in Namibia and a commercial Braford stud was recently established in Mauritius.
EFFICIENCY
Brafords are medium frame beef cattle that have the potential to utilize even low quality grass to produce on average weaner calves of 45-50% of cow weight. Average birth weights are between 30-36kg and weaning weights should be in the range of 200- 270kg. The SA Braford consistently performs exceptionally well at the Eastern Free State Veldbulklub. Over a period of 9 years the Braford groups have realised Average Daily Gains on veld grass of between 626-752grams for the duration of the test and has been the breed with the highest selection percentage of all breeds. In intensive feeding environments such as feedlots Brafords can average as much as 2kg weight gain per day.
Fertility is the single most important quality considered in the selection of the SA Braford. The intercalf periods of our top Breedplan cow herds are 368 and 375 respectively, and the society as a whole is aiming to achieve average ICP of 400.
Braford bulls have exceptional libido and strict selection is done on scrotal circumference.
ADAPTABILITY
The winning combination of top Hereford and Brahman genes enables the Braford to adapt, reproduce and thrive in a variety of very different environments from extreme heat to extreme cold, wet and dry environments and Brafords cope extremely well with South African diseases. Current Braford studs operate successfully in Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalange, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Free State, Northern Cape and Eastern Cape. There are also Braford breeders in Namibia and a commercial Braford stud was recently established in Mauritius.
EFFICIENCY
Brafords are medium frame beef cattle that have the potential to utilize even low quality grass to produce on average weaner calves of 45-50% of cow weight. Average birth weights are between 30-36kg and weaning weights should be in the range of 200- 270kg. The SA Braford consistently performs exceptionally well at the Eastern Free State Veldbulklub. Over a period of 9 years the Braford groups have realised Average Daily Gains on veld grass of between 626-752grams for the duration of the test and has been the breed with the highest selection percentage of all breeds. In intensive feeding environments such as feedlots Brafords can average as much as 2kg weight gain per day.