Braford History
Working with a base of Brahman
cows that were primarily Partin and Hudgins breeding, Alto Adams
Jr. began using Hereford
bulls on his St. Lucie County, Florida ranch in 1947.
The resulting steer and heifer calves were
outstanding, but the Hereford bulls required to produce those calves
had extreme problems with feet, eyes and general livability.
Adams quickly realized that using Hereford
bulls that were not adapted to South Florida was simply not feasible
and he began experimenting with various types of Brahman-Hereford
cross bulls.
Eventually he identified Braford bulls that were producing calves
that met his needs and he used these bulls and their offspring to
form what is recognized as the Foundation Herd of the Braford breed
in the United States.
Brafords are known for superior maternal
ability. Early puberty, fertility, calving ease, optimum milk production,
maternal aptitude and productive longevity have earned Brafords
this distinguished reputation. Braford cattle are approximately
3/8 Brahman and 5/8 Hereford.
Reference:
Adams Ranch, Inc., Fort Pierce, FL 34979
United
Braford Breeders, 422 East Main Suite 218, Nacogdoches, TX
75961. Phone: (409) 569-8200 Email: ubb@brafords.org
Photographs:
Adams Ranch, Inc., Fort Pierce, FL 34979
