Production strategies for formal versus informal markets

Feedlots do not purposefully discriminate against certain breeders, but the animals may not always produce the carcasses that their market segment want.

- Shane Brody

I was recently asked by a farmer who reads Farmer’s Weekly about the concept of terminal breeding, and further to answering him about what this constitutes, I dedicated an article to the concept. I also covered the key differences between Bos taurus and B. indicus cattle breeds or types.

In short, the Taurus breeds such as Herefords and Shorthorns largely have their origins in Britain and Europe, while the Indicus breeds such as Ngunis and Brahmans have their origins in Asia or Africa – these can largely be regarded as indigenous breeds and they have a valuable place in the broader local and global red meat value chain.

It suffices to say that the Indicus breeds show good adaptability to drought conditions and warmer climates and many are resistant to parasites such as ticks, while Taurus breeds may show better meat quality, better growth rates and so forth but are less suited to arid conditions and their furrier coats can pose problems where ectoparasites are prevalent.

It stands to reason however that the originators of breeds such as the Brangus (Brahman x Angus) and Braford (Brahman x Hereford) understood the value of including Indicus cattle into the new breeds that they developed.