Australian Brangus

An Australian Brangus steer

Australian Brangus are a polled breed of beef cattle, developed in the tropical coastal areas of Queensland, Australia by crossbreeding Brahman and Angus cattle during the 1950s.

History

Brangus were first developed in the United States and later developed independently in Australia as the Australian Brangus. The breed was produced to establish higher tick and heat tolerance than that of other cattle breeds. They are a widely used source of meat throughout Australia and exported to countries such as Japan and America.

The Australian Brangus cattle are about  ³⁄₈ Brahman and  ⁵⁄₈ Angus in their genetic makeup.^[1] The cattle are usually a sleek black in colour, but reds are also acceptable. They have a very low rate of eye cancer, which can be a problem in many white faced breeds. Their head is of a medium length with a broad muzzle and forehead.^[2] Australian Brangus are also good walkers and foragers and "do well" in a wide variety of situations.

The Australian Brangus Cattle Association Ltd. performance records the herd using the internationally recognized Breedplan for monitoring growth, milk and carcase^[3] quality.

References

1. Cole B.V.Sc., V.G. (1978). Beef Production Guide. Macarthur Press, Parramatta. ISBN 0-9599973-1-8.
2. Friend, John.; Denis Bishop (1978). Cattle World. Blandford Press, Dorset. ISBN 0-7137-0856-5.
3. Delbridge, Arthur, The Macquarie Dictionary, 2nd ed., Macquarie Library, North Ryde, 1991

• Stephens, M (et al.), Handbook of Australian Livestock, Australian Meat & Livestock Export Corporation, 2000 (4th ed), ISBN 1-74036-216-0

"The Land Stock Types"

External links

• Australian Brangus Cattle Association