Barzona cows are considered good mothers and the bulls are regarded as aggressive in their breeding performance. Follow us on. While we provide information resources and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. They have very good temperament and are relatively very easy to handle. Thus, the Barzona breed became the only breed developed in the US to be established through the dam line, based solely on performance. By 1968, Barzona cattle were genetically recognized as an established breed, were well accepted by feeders and packers and the bulls were in demand by commercial ranchers for use in crossbreeding programs. Production records were maintained and a rigid selection was carried out for fertility The best cattle in the developing Left: Bard Cattle Company cow and calf. Shorthorn nad Angus breeds. He combined the genetics of the Africander, Hereford, Cross of Hereford and Brahman cattle. well under such environments. Black, black-white, cream, gray red, and brown are the most common colors. This completed the infusion of blood into the genetic pool and the Barzona breed was slowly developed by careful planned matings to blend these different breeds and fix the desired characteristics. Ive never seen a sore-footed Barzona., Southern Utah: Our Barzonas utilize our range better than any cattle weve ever had. Measuring vigor Colostrum intake and mothering ability A calf's entire immune system comes from passive transfer via colostrum intake. When selecting bulls for breeding the cows should be hornless, age 3.5 years at least, and not less than 400 pounds in weight. The infusion of Africander blood into the Barzona gene pool has much to do with the "Jack" Humphrey joined with the Bard's and took over the management We used to see Beefmaster bulls on test at our test station and they didn't gain well. As you can probably gather from the name, the breed got its start in Arizona and is still a major contributor to beef production in the United States. They are also highly adaptable to their environments. Our association feedlot test is specifically targeting feed efficiency as well as measuring 30 other marketable traits in market animals. With light birth weight, streamline shaped calves, they tend to calve easily without assistance and breed back year after year even under stressed conditions. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. The carcass is muscular and well-marbled with a high ratio of lean to fat, and high cutability. considering rate of gain and mothering ability. adElemSticky.style.width = rect.width + 'px';
The two men needed a breed that was hardy and adaptable but also had good fertility and mothering instincts and was generally low-maintenance and easy to care for. Their meat is also muscular and well-marbled and has a high lean-to-fat ratio. Your email address will not be published. All Barzona cattle are red in color, with most being medium-red. adElem.style.width = ''; Featured Image Credit: Anjela Lee, Shutterstock, 5 Best Sources of Iron for Dogs (& How Much They Need Daily), Cute Frogs: 9 Pictures That Will Make You Happy. They started with the premise that cattle and the traits that allow them to survive and produce marketable beef on a regular and profitable basis, must match or be compatible with their environment. . The Barzona Breeders Association of America (BBAA) is a non-profit organization established in 1968 to serve its growing number of breeders. A large majority of our second year testing was on our 1st calf heifers. It is a perfect combination of four different cattle breeds i.e. Currently the breed is found and raised mainly in the United States. A native African breed, the Africander dates back to the 15th century. From the Hereford they specifically wanted early maturity, hindquarters, close sheath and ability to thrive on the range. Red and gray are not allowed in the USA. Female Barzona cattle are very fertile and can birth calves as young as two years old. It wasnt until after World War II that Bard was able to start a successful and extensive breeding program with these breeds. Contact your local breeder to set up a private treaty sale, and watch our updates closely for news regarding our Breed Barzona Auction, coming in January of 2023! Hereford, Angus, Beef Shorthorn and Afrikander cattle. During our hottest weather our Barzonas are out grazing when our native cattle are lying in the shade., Minnesota: Through the worst blizzard of the century (1975), the coldest Minnesota winter in 100 years (1976-77) and 2 years of severe drought, our Barzonas have performed very well. A calf's entire immune system comes from passive transfer via colostrum intake. The performance in the feedlot and on slaughter tests Today, Barzona cattle still make a large contribution to Americas beef industry. They have a high percentage of lean and the meat is very tender. In the north country they find that they adapt easily to freezing temperatures and severe weather, even at calving time. In addition to writing, her passions include gardening, traveling, and protecting our wil. 2000 - 2023 - Global Ag Media. It was developed in the 1940s and 1950s in the high desert, inter-mountain region of Arizona. In our second year, 12/13 calves passed, all rating excellent with only 1 coming back "failed". Barzona cows are considered good mothers and the bulls are regarded as aggressive in their breeding performance. The cow has the stomach volume and properties necessary to assist with the microbial digestion. Those animals with the most desirable Cows stay in production upwards of 15-20 years. Global Ag Media provides a knowledge sharing platform offering premium news, analysis and information resources for the global agriculture industry. The cows are very fertile and known for their easy calving. The skin on a Barzona is clear and tight. adElemSticky.style.height = rect.height + 'px';
He was intrigued with the results of the Africander cross calves but had to wait until the end of World War II before being able start a concentrated breeding program. Francis Norwood Bard purchased a load of Santa Gertrudis and Africander bulls which he planned to breed with purebred Hereford cows that he had purchased as well. In Germany it comes from the regions of Westfalia, Rhineland and Schleswig Holstein, and is known there as the Rotbunt. They have purchased and raised their own Barzonas, and also try different crossbreedings to provide data for commercial producers. Grazing involves the cattle feeding on low-growing vegetation, while browsing involves feeding on high-growing vegetation. All Rights Reserved | No part of this site may be reproduced without permission. They decided that no single existing breed would be able to do the necessary job for them and that they could only develop the desired characteristics through careful blending of genes from several breeds. It debuted in 1968 and has since been exported around the world, particularly to other western countries. They are well adapted to their native climates. or polled. the body of a Barzona is strong, sturdy, and well proportioned. They are not much active to walk around and identify things. Bard and Humphrey's dedication to keeping records and performance data and their unmerciful selection pressure on the cattle for the desired traits and culling those animals that did not measure up to their standards is responsible for the built-in quality of today's Barzona cattle. Required fields are marked *. Selection has been made for hardiness traits that include good wearing feet and legs, and the ability to walk with ease, graze sparse ranges and survive under arid conditions. The only disadvantage associated with them is recognition. They are a breed of beef cattle raised for meat in the state of California. Balancer cattle combine the Gelbvieh's growth, endurance, and muscle mass with Angus's calving ease, reasonable size, and mottling. at birth. However, their actual size will vary depending on their environment. Modern Breeds of Livestock. In the South they utilize the native browse to maximum advantage and have proven highly resistant to the onslaught of insects, parasites and hot temperatures. cattle of today are without any Angus parentage. The Barzona is definitely a no frills breed, requiring less care and expensive inputs than other breeds. Copyright (c) 2017 BARZONA BREEDERS ASSOCIATION. The animals will utilize every bit of available grass and browse. The purebred operation requires more time, record keeping and initial input. Males have small testicles, low libido, and poor fertility. Disadvantages of Barzona cattle The Barzona cattle are slower milkers than the other breeds of cattle. Being a full member of the Barzona Breeders Association gets you free advertising on our website! I hope that you enjoy this post and I hope that you will come back again because there are always new posts to read! The calves of this breed require more time to wean, but the mothers are easy calvers. Large breeds may have higher daily gains and weaning weights, but in some cases the disadvantages are more drastic. In 1942 he bought a herd of purebred, unregistered, mountain-raised Hereford cows. So they do not give good milk production. The breeds selected to form the genetic pool were Hereford, Angus, Africander and Santa Gertrudis. Macmillan Barzona cattle are actually a beef cattle breed. Use the search! adElem.style.zIndex = '21'; She is currently living in the United States with her husband and daughter. They are very efficient in the feedlot and several meat packers have told me they do everything expected of them and then some., New Mexico: These bulls really cover the country and get our cows bred better than any bulls weve ever had. We're proud of our breed and are happy to assist you in any way. The bulls of this breed do not produce much semen. They make outstanding mother cows with minimal calving problems, no pinkeye or foot rot, are very resistant to insects and parasites, and do it all on sub-marginal pastures., Central Arizona Feedlot Operator: The cattle gain well and convert their feed better than most breeds. We are pleased to give you instant access to valuable information about the Barzona breed and its composites. Balancers combine their parents' resilience with a crossbred's hybrid vitality. They yield Choice to Prime grade meat that is of the most desirable market weight due to their genetic size which was taken into account during their breeding. eye set. 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