Brahman hybrid calves and those out of Brahman F1 cows are noted for their fast gains, and it's a fact that these calves consistently produce more weight per day of age than most other breed contemporaries. Brahman cross calves are more desirable to feed in many parts of the country during hot, humid months when the feed efficiency of European and British calves and crosses decreases. The ability of these Brahman cross cattle to finish during warm seasons is a definite economic factor in their favor.

While efficiency is an important quality of the Brahman and its crosses, the carcasses are known for their high cutability, which results in a high yielding carcass with limited fat.

Tenderness readings using the Warner-Bratzler Shear-Force Test were taken at 0, 7 and 14 days. With this data, a rating of 10 pounds or less is considered satisfactory for supermarket sales, while a rating of 8.7 pounds or less is desirable for steaks utilized in quality restaurants. Eighty-four of the 89 samples were below the 10 pound level at 14 days with the best rating being 5.7 pounds.

From the pasture to the plate, Brahman and Brahman cross cattle prove they have the genetics for total performance!

"Heterosis", or hybrid vigor, is achieved by crossing two different strains, varieties, breeds or species. In the cattle world, maximum hybrid vigor is obtained by crossing totally unrelated animals, achieving the "best of both worlds". Because the American Brahman are of the Bos indices species, they naturally produce an exceptional first cross (F1) with other breeds of European or British origin of the species Bos taurus.

The resulting hybrid offspring is consistently superior in weight per day of age and carcass efficiency, as well as inheriting many economic characteristics of its Brahman parent, such as drought resistance, heat tolerance, disease resistance and increased longevity.

In the feedlot, Brahman hybrid steers make rapid, efficient gains and produce high cutting carcasses that are free of excess fat, which today's packer and health-conscious consumer demand.

The use of Brahman bulls with European or English breed cows is one of the most popular crossbreeding practices in the United States, with the resulting F1 calf in high demand by cattlemen for replacement females or feeders in the feedlot. It stands to reason that the full benefit of hybrid vigor is also gained by using bulls of European or English breeding with Brahman cows. It is very popular, particularly in southern parts of the United States, to use Brahman bulls to service cows in dairy operations. The resulting Brahman F1 female will make an excellent commercial beef cow.