100% Grass-fed Perfection
May 05, 2012
BEEFALO = 100% Grass-fed Perfection
BEEFALO is an all-American breed of cattle developed by crossing the American bison or buffalo
with domestic cattle breeds.
The general hope when crossing two breeds is to produce calves which have the best attributes of both parents. This doesn't always happen and sometimes it's the more undesirable traits that appear. But in the case of BEEFALO, the outcome of crossing bovines and bison is always positive. The bison genetics provide hardiness, ease of calving (small birth weights), meat quality and a wider variance of foraging abilities while the domestic breed genetics provided the fertility, better milk production and a docile temperament. In addition, hybrid vigor and genetic strength were passed on to the offspring.
There are several domestic bovine breeds currently being used to produce BEEFALO. Older established breeds such as Angus, Brahman and Hereford are used as are some newer breeds which are themselves the result of crossbreeding such as Droughtmaster and Brangus. On our farm we have Red Angus Beefalo, Hereford Beefalo and Charolais Beefalo. Pure-blood Beefalo are 3/8 bison and 5/8 bovine. If an animal has more than 3/8 bison it is known as a 'bison hybrid'.
Why we chose BEEFALO
American bison are the original masters of 100% Grass-foraging and can thrive on land which would not be considered for "domestic" cattle. Over time, severe climatic conditions such as famine and drought have produced genetically sound and physically tough animals. Although Beefalo calves are small at birth, they are vigorous. They begin grazing at a relatively early age and grow more quickly than their domestic bovine counterparts. Sexual maturity occurs later than in some European breeds such as Angus, but they then reproduce over a longer period, bearing more calves in their lifespan. Our oldest Beefalo cow is 13 years old and still producing health vigorous calves.
Some of the more outstanding features of the BEEFAO are:
- Hardiness – the double coats and more numerous sweat glands of the beefalo (most of them) gives them greater tolerance of both hot and cold conditions.
- Lower production costs – a strong constitution, resistance to disease, adaptability, longevity and foraging abilities mean less money and time spent on husbandry issues.
- Resistance to disease
- Faster growth rates – Beefalo calves begin to graze at a younger age than bovine calves thus weight gain is faster.
- Longer productive life – Beefalo females can be expected to raise at least fourteen calves during their productive life.
- Cross breeding – hybrid vigor is increased by using Beefalos in a cross-breeding program. The offspring will be tougher with heavier weaning weights, greater longevity and greater resistance to disease.
- Lower fat ratios – Beefalo cattle have lower levels of cholesterol and fats. The meat has a higher protein level, less calories and lower levels of total fats and saturated fats.
- Less calving problems – lower birth weights would seem to indicate that weaning and yearling weights would not be acceptable but because Beefalo calves start grazing early, good weights are obtained at an early age. Depending on the domestic breed, birth weights can be anywhere between 45 and 85 pound.
- Good conversion – the bison factor results in good conversion of even poor quality roughage into meat.
- A quieter disposition inherited from domestic cattle means the beefalo is easier to handle.
Read more about BEEFALO at: http://www.TheKuhnFamilyFarm.com
