Which beef breed is best for you?

Choosing a breed to farm depends on various factors, including the environment in which you plan to farm. Janine Ryan reports.

-  Janine Ryan

When choosing a beef cattle breed for your farm, you need to consider various factors. No two breeds are the same, and some are more efficient producers in particular circumstances and environments than others. As such, you need to take your farming environment and production goals in mind when choosing a breed for your farm.

For this article, we have assumed that the reader wants to focus specifically on beef production. If this is indeed your production call, it is recommended that you choose a breed that has been specifically bred for beef production. (This is not to rule out dual-purpose breeds like the Simmentaler. However, for this article, we have focused exclusively on beef breeds.)

Beef breeds emphasise muscle development and efficient conversion of feed to meat.

CHOOSING A BREED

As mentioned above, when choosing a beef breed, consider the climate and environment. Choose a breed that is well suited to your production area, and bear in mind that some breeds may be better adapted to hot or cold climates, high altitudes or specific forage types. Also consider the mature adult size of a breed, as this will have an impact on feed requirements, space and overall management. A smaller breed, for example, may be more suitable for smaller farms. However, if you have a big farm, it’s not always best to choose a larger-framed animal, as these animals may have higher feed requirements, for instance.