Wasnt sure if this or Around the Farm would better to post this. Mods, let me know 
Mr. Chachie & I are considering breeding Brahman cattle but there aren’t any breeders nearby so I am reaching out to my fellow Cothers since I know many of you also raise cows.
I am looking for recommendations (and cautions) about who to buy our foundation stock from. Pm me if you want or reply here.
Thanks everyone!
Where are you, I assume in the South, as brahma cattle are not suitable for colder climates.
There are several different kinds of brahma cattle, some are easier to handle, others harder, some produce better eating quality meat, others not so much, they don’t grade as well.
Generally brahma cattle are considered a less than acceptable beef quality, but because of the heat hardiness some breed them or use them for crosses where it gets very hot.
There are some brahma crosses that have become breeds themselves, the Santa Gertrudis of the King Ranch, brangus and beefmasters are some.
Most in the northern 2/3rds of the US don’t want any brahma in their cattle because it is harder to sell the calves.
While they may yield more meat, they tend to be docked when graded.
Some brahma breeders have tried to only breed those tested to be better, but the breed is just not that consistent yet.
If you are in the hot South, well, you just have to have some brahma in your cattle for their comfort in the heat and humidity.
If not, you may want to study this a bit more, ask brahma breeders, plenty in the internet and if in the South, I am sure in your state’s cattlemens association listing.
If you are in TX, contact TSCRA, they have a list of breeders and inspectors that know everyone in your area and can tell you who raises which kind, how good the are, etc.
I think that Florida also has a very strong association.
We are in Ohio. It is mild compared to the freezing temps up north and blistering heat in the south.From my just started research, I have seen that they can acclimate to just about any weather but this is why I am looking to talk to breeders so I can find out more from the horse’s mouth.
But the grade meat factor may be why there aren’t any breeders around. Again, my quick Google research didn’t say that so Im glad I asked.
Thanks Bluey!
What specifically interests you in Brahman cattle? Not trying to lure you into a trap, I promise, just genuinely curious.
, l
Here is a breeder of red brahma advertising in our Craiglist:
https://amarillo.craigslist.org/grd/…475533879.html
Seems to be in College Station, TX.
You could contact the ABBA and see if there is someone in your area.
I am not sure they do well in colder areas.
My guess would be Ohio is way too far North for them in the winters, especially purebreds.
Your region has some of the best black angus breeders in the nation.
Black angus are today the gold standard for the best beef around.
They have the studies behind it to show that is so, in the right environment for them, of course.
Those would struggle in the far South heat and humidity.
Here in the winters we try not to have cattle with too much % of brahma.
Just too hard on them when we have blizzards.
They die like flies when they pile up by a fence.
Hairier breeds, carrying more fat naturally stand that without any worry.
I guess if you provide them with good protection, they may be ok.
If you want to raise beef cattle, look around at what those that have been there long are raising.
That probably is the best kind for your region, why most have that kind there.
If you just want a handful for fun, maybe pets, then pick whatever you like.
Then make your management fit what they need, whatever that may be, like extra feed and protection from the elements.
I love them for their looks lol I have met a handful and fell in love with them because they were friendly, easy to handle, plus when I watch bull riding, my favorites are always the Brahman.
If we were to raise them, it would not be a huge operation but more of a hobby with a small herd.
@ Bluey: thank you for the link
If you like that look, but are just interested in hobby farming, take a look at miniature zebu cattle. I used to drive past a farm that raised them on my way to and from work and they are cute as can be. Lots of people think they’re miniature brahmans. The small size offers a lot of advantages if you’re looking on them as a hobby and more as pets than market stock.
I, too, think they are beautiful but they have such short slick coats that I’m not sure how they’d fare in a place like Ohio, with some snowy cold weather.
Great idea, Bluey, to contact the Brahman association.
That’s interesting, because Brahman and Brahman-influenced cattle are notoriously aggressive and flighty. That’s one major reason, along with their less desirable carcass characteristics, that beef breeders avoid high % Brahman cattle. Here in the southeast, a small amount of Brahman blood can be very helpful on the maternal side, to deal with the heat, humidity, and insects. However, I must stress the SMALL percentage part of that sentence. Brangus cattle without “too much ear” (i.e. too high % Brahman blood) make up a lot of cow herds; the sire is usually all or predominantly Angus, to improve carcass characteristics in the offspring.
I can’t imagine that there would be much advantage at all to Brahman-type cattle in Ohio, and the winters could be a major problem for them. If it’s the look you like and you just want them for the novelty, I second the Zebu recommendation. Although they also can be difficult, temperament-wise, at least they’re physically easier to handle/manage.
Thank you. I was sure that was something I remembered from my long-ago animal science degree, but didn’t trust my memory enough to say anything and all of my hands-on experience has been with Angus and BWF crossbred cattle.
Cincy is pretty far south in Ohio, the part of the state that bulges further southeast is pretty rural to downright remote and at a higher elevation, if anything, can be colder. Here in Cincy we go below 0f at least a short time almost every winter and it can be below 32f for a couple of weeks straight. This last year we bounced between highs around 10f and lows between -5 and -10f for two weeks straight. Twice. Rest of the state gets progressively colder as you go north, not alot of snow away from the show belt along the lakes but it’s cold.
Anywhooo, I’m no expert but know the difference between an Angus, Hereford and those assorted crosses and the Brahman and those crosses out there. See very few resembling Brahman type stock. There may be some but don’t see them in the fields, in feedlots, in holding pens at the livestock auction I often drive by or as feeders on smaller properties. Always figured they didn’t do well in this climate so people look elsewhere for stock more suited to the climate.
If I was going to raise some cattle in this area, Id look to see what others in the area were raising and sending to market at prices decent enough to at least break even. I see mostly those resembling Angus and alot of Angus producer signs along the road. Even the 4H kids I know go for those for their projects. Very unscientific but if you don’t see many, kr any, there’s a reason. Compare that to my years in Texas when Brahman and those crosses were about all I did see.
Always thought the Brahman were not as docile as others…used to work at breed horse shows and had to find a truck load of cattle a few times for the cow classes, they specified no Brahman.
Are you thinking about raising for the meat market or keeping a few around as sort of pets? Either way, a rodeo bull isn’t something to inspire a decision on animals you will be raising and handling, probably handling more then you think unless you’ve had cattle before. It’s not all warm fuzzies.
Ditto on the Zebu but they aren’t big fans of cold either, do better with a solid shelter. Only ones I know are more ornamental and rescues, not going to market. Smaller, easier to overpower but not much meat on there if you want to raise for market/slaughter compared to a nice, round Angus that packs on the pounds in winter instead of shivering them off.
Ummm, if you want more of a hobby herd, you might look into the miniature Zebu, They actually see these in local livestock rescues, like the pot bellied pigs, they are cute but those unfamiliar with caring for adult cattle can’t cope even though they are small and they get dumped. My BO has a few…they hate the cold though, need a little help there.
As cutting was my choice of equine discipline for many years, I will fourth or fifth that Brahman or Brahman crosses are anything but quiet and gentle. I have spent a lot of time watching cattle, either to cut myself or from the back of a turnback horse, and they are cattle we try to avoid. We have a neighbor who runs beef cattle on some of our land, and I can tell you that he tries to avoid buying them due to disposition.
If you want something truly quiet, develop a relationship with a dairy farmer and buy his bull calves. Prices were high on them for the last couple years, but the dairy economy is headed down the toilet and you might be able to pick them up cheap and finish them out as beef steers.
As you seem to be looking for hobby animals, perhaps look into heritage breeds? They are usually very suitable for small-scale operations and are low-imput animals, precisely why modern farming has left the breeds behind. Often they are really handsome. As they are rare, they have a value for specialist breeders but, more importantly, you would be helping to conserve American history.
Take a look around heritage breed websites and see just how pretty they can be!
Bingo on tne bull calves from dairy operations. Those breeds are very docile compared to others. Nice to look at too. Research the dairy breeds.
Speaking on tne heritage breeds, stay away from Longhorns if you will market for meat. Unless they are crossed with something beefier bodied, they don’t carry alit if meat. And those trademark horns are a PITA on small properties with board fences and can be hard for the less experienced handler to avoid getting caught and banged or knocked over by those horns if the beast turns its head and you are too close…don’t ask…
A friend once bought some longhorns at the auction on a whim. Less than a year later, he hauled them back to the auction becaue they were such a PITA.
When my son was in FFA and 4-H and showing cattle, there was a 4-H club sponsored by a dairy farm and all the kids showed Jerseys at the county youth fair. There is nothing cuter than a sweet, petite Jersey heifer.
Longhorns are bad about going where they want, so tall they just pop over regular fences.
We had over the years neighbors that kept a lead steer to move and settle young stock.
Some were longhorns and they kept coming over to visit regularly.
We tried to discourage them, would drive them back to their pastures and, even with an open gate right there, they would jump the fence into their own pasture.
One had horns so wide they could not haul him in a regular trailer, he didn’t fit.
Darn things are quicker, smarter and more suspicious by nature too. Dunno if OP has had cattle before but if this is more a hobby farm with a little profit possible and they are not experienced cowhands, they really want slow and not so smart even if they don’t realize it yet. And no rack of weapons to get hung up in fences with. That’s why the dairy breeds are probably a better choice.
WHY are you wanting to breed Brahmans? For beef? As “pets”? As others have noted, they are not an ideal beef breed and they do best in a warm climate and will suffer in cold weather. Consider the crosses like Santa Gertrudis, a very handsome breed, or Brangus or Beefmaster, if you must have something Brahman.
Also, do you have experience with cattle? You will need some way to restrain them for shots, doctoring, pregnancy checking and the like. You’ll need a squeeze chute and a corral system even if it’s a simple one.
If you haven’t had much experience with cattle, ask to help/observe at a local ranch. Ask a lot of questions. Find out just what you’re getting into.
Three Figs is right about you needing more than acreage to manage any cattle you own. They will need shots, deworming, maybe hoof trimming, no matter what breed you purchase. This means a squeeze chute to hold them in place, with a chute system to get them into the squeeze. Unless you buy show cattle well trained to lead, you won’t be handling them in halters like horses to get them into the squeeze. Horned cattle need special design squeeze chute so their horns fit.
Getting some cattle knowledge before purchasing is HIGHLY recommended to stay safe handling them. Cattle almost always tell you what they are thinking, but you need to be able to read them to stay safe, like with loose horses.
I really think you have chosen a breed that is a poor choice for all the reasons given. I would not own any kind of horned cattle, they WILL use them as defense tools. Local guy has been gored twice with his Highland cattle, though he said it was his fault. STILL he came close to dying each time. Little cattle like Dexters, might be an option. Pony size instead of larger than horses, come polled now if you ask for them. Easy keepers but frequent handling is recommended to keep them trained.
Might I suggest you do the dairy bull calves, castrate them, raise for beef for a year. See how you like handling them, feeding, doctoring, working around them, how hard on your fences, sheds they are. They are pretty cheap, easily trained with daily halter, leading handling. DO teach them to load in the trailer young, get treats, so they are easy to load when selling time comes. Have them come for treats when called so they are easy to catch if they get loose. Then consider getting better cattle, registered, along with needed equipment investment if you had fun owning the cattle.
My FIL’s family bred Brahman for many years in MS. They are EXTREMELY intelligent and nearly all of my favorite stories involve an incident with a Brahman! They are difficult to handle, hard to contain (fencing), and must live somewhere very warm year-round. And NEVER turn your back on one. I mean that.
My husband (like all the grandchildren) were gifted a heifer when they were born; whatever that heifer produced and was sold at auction was placed in a savings account for college, and that is how my husband and the rest of the grandchildren attended college.
I’d take the advice offered by the folks before me - but if you are one for a life of challenge and amusement, and have a bit of recklessness in your heart, perhaps this breed IS for you? 
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