“Crossbreeding’s Common Denominator.” We’ve all heard it regarding the Brahman animal and its immense value in a crossbreeding program. What exactly is that value, though? In a typical crossbreeding system, you see advantages in calf performance. I’m sure you’ve all heard that “crossbreds outperform the average of the parents.” However, when using Brahman genetics on British or European (Bos taurus) cows, that advantage in heterosis is essentially doubled. In an industry driven by consumer demand, the Brahman F-1 can provide what the customer wants, and what the commercial cattleman needs to produce that desired product. Below are a few of the main talking points when it comes to the Brahman F-1.
HYBRID VIGOR
There is no better cross to see immense hybrid vigor expressed than in a Brahman half-blood. Breeding your Brahman cattle to a Bos taurus breed provides incredible increase in highly important traits such as growth, milk, fertility and longevity when compared to other breed crosses and purebreds.
FEMALE VALUE
In a recent analysis of special sales, it was shown that ABBA Golden Certified and Certified F-1 females received nearly a $200 premium per head as compared to females of other breed types.
FED CATTLE VALUE
F-1 steers have been proven to have direct advantages in efficiency and average daily gain compared to both other breed crosses and purebred counterparts. In addition, groups of F-1 steers routinely grade with a high percentage of Choice carcasses that are consistently freer of excess fat above average for dressing percentage.
While crossbreeding with Brahman provides many advantages, the greatest benefits from hybrid vigor come from utilization of F-1 dams. The F-1 female is rightfully dubbed “the Queen of Cow Country” for her superior maternal quality, reproductive soundness and calf performance. And don’t expect this to be short lived either, because the Queen of Cow Country will be around for a while. Whether you’re looking at research, or seeing that F-1 female outlive and out produce her counterparts, the added benefit of longevity is obvious and impossible to deny. The average Brahman female already lives longer than the average Bos indicus cow, and those same advantages are seen, or even enhanced in the F-1 female.
On top of that, the maternal quality of the F-1 female is unmatched. Studies show consistently higher milk production (even off the same or minimal inputs) than purebred counterparts. As a direct result, calves wean off bigger, giving you a stout, ready to go calf when sale day rolls around. But it doesn’t stop there, either. Th e F-1 female is fertile, consistently and regularly breeds back on time, resulting in regular calving intervals and more calves weaned. Not to mention the fact that the Brahman F-1 female also typically shows early age of puberty and higher first service conception rates. In fact, studies show that the Brahman F-1 female typically sees a 10-20% increase in reproduction and weaning weight.
At the end of the day, it’s as simple as this: bigger, more vigorous calves + more calves weaned per cow = more money in a breeder’s pocket.
Don’t forget about adaptability, either. Brahman already corners the market on heat tolerance and adaptability to tropical and sub-tropical climates, and the F-1 does the same. However, the F-1 is still highly adaptive to cooler environments as well, providing her a competitive advantage even outside of the southern states. A vast portion of the US could benefit from at least ¼ Brahman influence for added adaptability, and the only way to achieve that is through the F-1 female. To put it simply, if you’re not using direct Brahman F-1 crosses in your cow herd, you’re missing out on a heap of added value.
Speaking of quarter bloods, breed your F-1 females back to the bull of your choosing and reap the benefits of the F-1 female’s distinct advantage in heterosis, as well as the marketable value and versatility of her calves. Quarter blood (ABBA F1+) cattle not only make great mother cows, but also highly efficient fed cattle that are widely accepted and highly profitable. If you’re looking to bolster your F-1 program or even get your foot in the door of the F-1 business, the ABBA offers the simple and aff ordable F-1 Certification Program that adds tremendous marketing value and end profits to your cattle! There are two options through the ABBA F-1 Certification Program: Golden Certified and Certified.
The program also offers flexibility of breeders through permitting the use of registered Brahman bulls on registered or qualified Bos taurus cows, or registered Bos taurus bulls on registered or qualifi ed Brahman cows.
GOLDEN CERTIFIED F-1
An F-1 animal that is the progeny of two registered parents.
CERTIFIED F-1
An F-1 animal that is the progeny of a registered sire and qualified dam (purebred, non-registered cow with physical characteristics that have been inspected by an ABBA representative). To qualify purebred, non-registered dams, contact the ABBA office to schedule a live or virtual visual inspection of cattle. The cost to qualify a purebred, non-registered dam is $6/head.
F-1 PLUS
ABBA launched the F-1 Plus program as a way to further promote the Golden Certified/Certified F-1 cow and her influence. The program verifies progeny parentage of ABBA Golden Certified or Certified cows, adding value to both the cow and her off spring.
This program is open to all female off spring from a Golden Certified or Certified F-1 cow and a registered beef bull. The program issues a unique ear tag identifying the F-1 Plus female, setting her apart and increasing her value.
Enrollment into the ABBA F-1 Certification Program is simply a one-time enrollment fee of $50 and a $20 annual renewal fee. You can purchase certificates or the famous Golden Certified or Certified tags on females for $7.50/head, or $10 for the certificate + tag option. For more information, please contact the ABBA office at (979) 485-5528 or at abba@brahman.org.
