Beef producers today have more research data than ever before in order to make wise decisions for the future of the industry. Breed Associations are incorporating this data in order to predict traits such as quality and yield grade. Cattle breeds are re-inventing themselves to fit the mold and position themselves for future markets. While other breeds are scrambling to build a product that the consumer demands, the brainier breed has consistently met that need time and time again. More and more cattle producers are turning to Original Braunvieh, one of the only Fullblood breeds known. Original Braunvieh has evolved over hundreds of years into a hardy, dual-purpose breed that is making an impact throughout the world. The Original Braunvieh breed is not a composite, therefore when mated with any other breed; the resulting offspring is an outcross with enhanced hybrid vigor. The Original Braunvieh is highly adaptable to all types of environments and has proven to increase the value of the crossbred carcass in the feedlot. With the added value of producing a docile, fertile, milk producing replacement female, Original Braunvieh is in a position to dominate the future of the beef industry in a positive way.
Data from the Meat Animal Research Institute of the United States Department of Agriculture concluded that (1) The 200 day calf wt/female exposed was 40 lbs. higher than other breeds. (2) Females out of Braunvieh sires calved, unassisted, 94.5 percent of the time with 95 percent of the calves surviving to weaning. (3) Braunvieh had a higher efficiency of conversion of feed than other breeds. (4) Braunvieh cows averaged 5,680 lbs. of milk in 200 days and their progeny averaged 558 lbs., of weight at 200 days. (5) Braunvieh progeny had the highest adjusted 200-day wt. of all breeds tested. (6) By 13.5 months of age, 94.2 percent of Braunvieh females will have reached puberty and by 14.5 months of age, 100 percent of Braunvieh females will have reached puberty. This research proves that even when selling on weight alone, Braunvieh will be profitable by outperforming all other breeds by having the highest adjusted 200-day wt. of all of the breeds tested. Combine this data with the real life results of carcass tests over the last ten years and it is a simple fact that the Original Braunvieh breed has become an industry leader for carcass quality, feedlot performance, maternal traits and environmental adaptability.
As the momentum increases and demands are placed on the producer to increase the quality and consistency of their product, the only wise thing to do is to choose the breed with the �built-in� genetic premium, Original Braunvieh.
As the new year evolves and you are making decisions to do �business as usual� or you are making a conscious decision to improve your bottom line, the single most important enhancement that you can do now that will pay off with the first calf crop is to choose an Original Braunvieh bull, regardless of the type or quality of your cow herd. For example, using an Original Braunvieh bull on commercial Brangus-type cows, netted one producer in the Southeast premiums of $110.59/head on two groups of feeders. Out of a total of 172 feeders, 2.8 percent graded Prime and 91 percent graded choice, with the remainder being Select Plus. Is it any wonder that the Braunvieh is known as the carcass breed? These results are being repeated time and time again and Braunvieh influenced feeders are now being sought by the premium beef feedlots because results show that Braunvieh genetics will meet the consumer demand for quality and taste.
If you are ready for a breeding up program the best place to start is with an Original Braunvieh bull. The replacement female will be docile, will be adaptable to the environment and will reach puberty by 14.5 months of age. Even on cross-bred cows the resulting offspring will benefit from the hybrid vigor that comes from using a Fullblood bull. The Original Braunvieh breed has the unique position of being one of the only Fullblood breeds known. Original Braunvieh is not a composite, that is, it is not a cross with any other breed. There are few Fullblood breeds known. Crossing a Fullblood with a cross-bred cow herd will create hybrid vigor in the offspring.
Make 2007 the year that you decide to make the most of your valuable resources. We are recovering from the past year of drought and it is more important than ever to make wise decisions now. The single most important decision will be the 50 percent genetic impact that your bull will place on your cow herd now and in future generations.
Research the data, ask questions, talk to others who have made the decision to use Braunvieh and then choose Original Braunvieh genetics in 2007.
