The Lean Beef Answer!
The late professor Jan C. Bonsma, world
renowned animal scientist of Pretoria, South Africa, and consultant
to the International Salorn Association, stated, "It is my considered
opinion that if the breed creation work on the Salorn is judiciously
done, the Salorn breed will, in the long run, be a far superior breed
to any of the synthetic breeds of America."
For over fifty years, Prof. Bonsma conducted
seminars all over the world, visiting the United States 39 times to
share his knowledge. His research in all breeds of cattle worldwide,
observing their weaknesses and virtues, encouraged him to participate
in the development of the Salorn.
At one of his seminars held in Wichita
Falls, Texas in 1964, Prof. Bonsma advised cattlemen that it was very
important to have some Texas Longhorn blood in their commercial herds
in the United States.
In numerous seminars, he cited extensive research
indicating that the Texas Longhorn's conformational and adaptability
traits are essential to maximizing profits in the commercial cattle
industry. Dr. Bonsma emphasized that 80 percent of the cattle producing
areas of the world are tropical.
One-fifth have climatic conditions similar
to the northern half of the United States. In most of the world, Brahman
synthetic breeds dominate the basic genetics, however, that breed
does not begin to compare with the Texas Longhorn and/or Salers in
either quality or absence of genetic defects.
Dr. Bonsma believed that adaptability
is the key to functional efficiency in all breeds of cattle. The Texas
Longhorn is by far the most adapted breed in the southern United States,
having been in North America nearly 500 years, under a survival-of-the-fittest
production system.
A number of attributes have evolved as a result
of natural selection over these hundreds of years, producing tremendous
strengths in comparison to other breeds.
Their tropical adaptability, parasite resistance,
longevity, calving ease, mothering ability, browse utilization, fertility
and disease resistance are unquestionably superior to any other breed.
Salers and Longhorns originated in almost the
same areas of the world, prior to coming to America, and they share
many important traits. In addition, Salers have a tremendous growth
ability combined with calving ease and superior carcass quality.
The Salorn creation program began with
registered Texas Longhorn females carrying the genetic traits of adaptability.
Superior fullblood, smooth-coated, muscular Salers sires, selected
for gentle disposition, have been mated to these cows.
The resulting F1’s (1/2 Salers - 1/2 Longhorn)
are bred to 3/4 Salers - 1/4 Longhorn to produce a 5/8 - 3/8 result,
which is the First Generation Salorn. Successive generations of the
5/8 - 3/8 Salorn will insure breeding consistency.
A major consideration in the pioneering
opportunity available with the Salorn is the fact that Texas Longhorn
and Salers blood will be totally new in 4/5th of the cattle producing
areas of the world.
The potential for this breed, as an outcrossing
breed improver, is unlimited on a global scale. Throughout each step
of the breed creation program, Dr. Bonsma's program of visual appraisal
for functional efficiency has been followed.
Performance records are the second component
of the selection process to produce superior Salorn genetics.
Information and photographs provided by the
International Salorn Association, P.O. Box 198, Granby, MO 64844-0198
Phone/Fax: 417-472-7133
Our thanks to Dr. Michael L. Thonney,
Professor of Animal Science, Cornell University for acquiring these
materials.
