Guidelines for Breeding Simbrah Cattle

1 Guidelines for Breeding Simbrah Cattle Simbrah combines the strengths of the two mostpopulous breeds of Cattle in the world Simmental andBrahman. The fertility, milking ability and rapid growthof the Simmental is complimented by the heat toleranceand hardiness of the Brahman. The initial development of the Simbrah breed occurredpredominantly in the Gulf Coast region of the , the popularity of the Simbrah Cattle now extendsto many parts of the Simbrah Registry The American Simmental Association maintains theregistry for the Simbrah breed. Two categories of Simbrahare admitted to the registry. Animals of 5/8 Simmentaland 3/8 Brahman Breeding are registered as purebredSimbrah. Other combinations of not less than 3/8 Simmental, Brahman and not more than 3/8 other breedsare registered as percentage Simbrah .

2 The wide range of crosses, from 3/8 to3/4 Simmentaland 1/4 to 5/8 Brahman, provides excellent flexibility forbreeding programs. Breeders can select combinations thatperform best in their production environment and whichalso best satisfy market demand in their area. By allowingup to 3/8 of other breeds in Simbrah Cattle , breeders canalso introduce other genetics, such as the polled trait, intotheir Purebred Simbrah A purebred animal consists of 5/8 Simmental and 3/8 Brahman Breeding . The degree of heterosis (hybrid vigor)in the first generation purebred will depend on howSimmental and Brahman are combined (see table).Matings of purebred Simmental and 1/4 Simmental-3/4 Brahman parents result in a greater degree of heterosis inthe calf than matings of 3/4 Simmental-1/4 Brahman and1/2 Simmental-1/2 Brahman Ways to Create Purebred SimbrahRegistered SireRegistered DamComment1.

3 Purebred Simmental1/4 Simmental X 3/4 BrahmanMost heterosis overall; increased (foundation Brahman)weaning weight withoutincreased birth 1/4 Simmental X 3/4 BrahmanPurebred SimmentalHigh level of heterosis in calf; (foundation Brahman)highest expected weaningweights, but also potential forincreased birth 3/4 Simmental X 1/4 Brahman1/2 Simmental X 1/2 BrahmanModerate level of heterosis incalf and high degree of maternalheterosis; weaning weightpotential similar to option two,but with less expected increase inbirth 1/2 Simmental X 1/2 Brahman3/4 Simmental X 1/4 BrahmanModerate calf and maternalheterosis; weaning weightpotential somewhat less thanother options. Differences among the dams used in the cross will alsoinfluence performance.

4 As Brahman Breeding of the damincreases, calf birth weight will generally decrease; aslevel of Simmental Breeding of the dam increases, calfbirth weight and calf weaning weight will Goals Simbrah breeders should strive to produce a breed ofbeef Cattle that is acceptable worldwide truly, TheWorld s Breed. Adaptable to many environments and managementsystems. Able to maximize production income whileminimizing production costs. Bulls able to settle a high percentage of females in ashort Breeding season. Females able to calve without assistance by 24 monthsof age and every 12 months thereafter. Feeder calves able to adapt quickly to the feedlotenvironment, gaining rapidly and efficiently, andproduce a high percentage of lean meat of SelectionSound Feet and Legs Legs should be well-placed and relatively straight witha moderate degree of angulation to the hock.

5 Avoidanimals with extremely straight rear legs (post-legged),with extreme hock angle (sickle hocked) or with weakpasterns. Feet should be straight allowing the animal s weight tobe carried evenly. The hoof should be almost round,relatively large in proportion to body size and have twoclaws of equal size and shape. Avoid animals whose feet toe in or toe out, whose hooves are crooked or small inrelation to body Potential Both males and females should show potential for highreproductive bulls should appear to be strong, virile andathletic. The testicles should be well developed, of equalsize and hang straight in the scrotum. The sheath shouldnot extend below an imaginary line drawn from the knee tothe hocks. The prepucial orfice should be small and openat a 45 degree angle to the body.

6 Avoid bulls lacking secondary sexual features, thosewith abnormal or inadequate testicular development, apendulous or funnel shaped sheath, a large prepucialopening, a prolapsing or lazy prepuce. Simbrah females should show evidence of should breed at an early age, calve at regular yearlyintervals and show evidence of good mothering ability. Their udder should be well attached both front and rear,have a level floor and four well-placed medium size should produce a generous volume of milkadequate to sustain the growth of their calf until females that show evidence of masculinity and arelate breeders. Cull those that have pendulous udders orlarge misshapened teats as well as those that fail to mothertheir calf and provide adequate Size and Type Selection for reproductive efficiency will ultimatelydetermine the frame size and type best suited to eachproduction environment.

7 Additional constraints may comefrom different management and marketing systems. In general, Simbrah should be of medium to largeframe, have a strong, straight topline showing mascularityuniformly from behind the shoulders through the loin area,and thickness in the hindquarters and lower stifle should avoid extremely large frame sizesassociated with delayed puberty, larger mature size andincreased feed requirements of Breeding small as well as extremely large frame size canalso mean unacceptable market weights of commercialfeeder and slaughter Cattle . Breeders should also avoid extremes in muscling. Veryheavy muscling is associated with calving problems andinfertility. Light muscling simply means less animals should show sufficient body capacity andfleshing ability to sustain satisfactory reproductiveperformance with limited amounts of feed.

8 Avoid animalsthat are swayback, pinched behind the shoulders, have asmall heart girth or lack spring of rib. Simbrah should also have a moderate amount of dewlapwhile still maintaining a relatively clean naval flao andsheath area. The skin contains important sweat glands thathelp the animal cope with hot A good disposition is also important. Cattle should berelatively quiet and easy to in Production Traits Final selection should be based on actual performancein production traits. ASA s herd performance and nationalsire evaluation programs can help breeders to evaluateboth individual and expected progeny performance in traitssuch as calving ease, birth weight, weaning weight,yearling weight, maternal calving ease, maternal weaningweight and maternal milking ability.

9 Check with ASA formore information. To be successful in today s industry, Simbrah breedersmust produce functional Cattle with measured performancein traits important to commercial by the American Simmental Association,1 Simmental Way, Bozeman, Montana 59715