FERTILITY
Fertility is the single most important quality considered in the selection of the SA Braford. The intercalf periods of our top Breedplan cow herds are 368 and 375 respectively, and the society as a whole is aiming to achieve average ICP of 400.
Braford bulls have exceptional libido and strict selection is done on scrotal circumference.
ADAPTABILITY
The winning combination of top Hereford and Brahman genes enables the Braford to adapt, reproduce and thrive in a variety of very different environments from extreme heat to extreme cold, wet and dry environments and Brafords cope extremely well with South African diseases. Current Braford studs operate successfully in Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalange, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Free State, Northern Cape and Eastern Cape. There are also Braford breeders in Namibia and a commercial Braford stud was recently established in Mauritius.
EFFICIENCY
SA Brafords are medium frame beef cattle that have the potential to utilize even low quality grass to produce on average weaner calves of 45-50% of cow weight. Average birth weights are between 30-36kg and weaning weights should be in the range of 200- 270kg. The SA Braford consistently performs exceptionally well at the Eastern Free State Veldbulklub. Over a period of 9 years the Braford groups have realised Average Daily Gains on veld grass of between 626-752grams for the duration of the test and has been the breed with the highest selection percentage of all breeds. In intensive feeding environments such as feedlots Brafords can average as much as 2kg weight gain per day.
Die SA Braford
Die Hereford wat as basis gebruik is in die daarstel van die SA Braford, is om die volgende redes gebruik:
- Getalle gewys een van die belangrikste vleisbeesrasse in die wêreld.
- Vrugbaarheid by uitstek
- Vleiskwaliteit
- Groeiprestasie onder ekstensiewe en voerkraal toestande.
- Temperament
Die genetiese bydrae van die Brahman behels die volgende:
- Uitstekende moedereienskappe
- Gemaklike geboorte
- Gehardheid en aanpasbaarheid – trope en subtrope
- Lang lewe
- Weerstand teen parasiete
Die kombinasie van al bogenoemde eienskappe lewer ‘n medium raam ras met baie gewenste eienskappe, naamlik die SA Braford.
Hoe moet ‘n SA Braford lyk?
Kleur en Pigment
Vroulik F1:
Alle skakerings word toegelaat. Pienk en wit oë is ‘n diskwalifikasie. Roomkleurige oë is toelaatbaar.
Vroulik F2:
Alle skakerings van rooi / bruin asook ‘briekwa’ , swart uitgesluit. Diere moet ‘n minimum van 15% wit aan die kop toon met wit aan die onderlyn. Vel en haar om die oë moet 100% rooi/bruin wees.
Vroulik F3 & F4:
Slegs rooi / bruin met ‘n minimum van 15% wit aan die kop, wit aan die onderlyn en 100% rooi/bruin om die oë.
Bulle F1:
Alle skakerings van rooi / bruin asook ‘briekwa’, swart uitgesluit. Diere moet ‘n minimum van 15% wit aan die kop toon met wit aan die onderlyn. Pienk en wit oë is ‘n diskwalifikasie. Roomkleurige oë is toelaatbaar.
Bulle F2:
Rooi / bruin en ‘briekwa’ met 15% wit aan die kop asook wit aan die onderlyn. Vel en haar om die oë moet 100% rooi / bruin wees.
Bulle F3 & F4:
Slegs rooi / bruin met ‘n minimum van 25% wit aan die kop, wit aan die onderlyn en 100% rooi / bruin om die oë.