Beefmaster

The focus of Beefmaster breeders is to select for the ‘six essential traits’. These traits result in more efficient animals and greater return on investment.

“The most difficult thing about cattle breeding is keeping it simple.” This is the philosophy of Tom Lasater, the founder of the Beefmaster, which has led to Beefmaster cattle achieving great success and making massive inroads into all major beef breeding countries.

In the 1930s, Lasater realised that selection for too many traits negatively affected some of a breed’s most economically viable traits. As a stud breeder of Brahmans, Shorthorns and Herefords, Lasater found that none of the breeding policies being applied were actually economically viable. He thus established his own philosophy, which includes selecting for only six essential traits: fertility, hardiness, disposition, conformation, milk and weight. According to Lasater, these traits form the basis of all the economic requirements for successful cattle breeding.

A unique breed

Beefmaster cattle production is unique in that it requires that breeders follow the Lasater philosophy to ensure the efficiency of the breed. This is one of the Beefmaster Cattle Breeders’ Society of South Africa’s (Beefmaster SA) greatest success stories: breeders are like-minded in how they approach their cattle production and what they hope to achieve for the breed. This results in the marketing of quality cattle that are producing phenomenal results on farms and in feedlots.

Another contributing factor to the success of the breed is the large herd size of most Beefmaster studs. These studs are mostly run as commercial units, and the average herd size is more than 300 cattle strong. This provides a huge genetic pool with tremendous genetic variety. This, and the fact that the Beefmaster is not a closed breed (base herd cows can be brought into the genetic pool at the bottom and then upgraded), result in animals that can adapt to any conditions in any location. This does, however, result in the appearance of the Beefmaster considerably varying depending on climate or terrain. According to Lasater, “form follows function”, and while animals in the harsh, rugged, cold mountain areas are going to look different to those in the flat grassland areas, they are still the best suited and most cost-effective breed for those areas. Nature always dictates the best size and shape of the animal if the six essentials are properly applied in selection.

The farmer’s choice

In today’s economic climate, land is by far a farmer’s most expensive asset, and to get some return on capital, return/ha must be maximised regardless of what is being farmed. The Beefmaster is a medium-framed animal that can adapt to any conditions, weans a healthy calf every year, and is sought after by all feedlots that generally pay a premium.

The breed has also topped the national average for cow efficiency by some margin year after year. Producing calves at just below 48% of her weight at weaning, a 500kg Beefmaster cow will thus wean a 240kg calf. At a price of R34/kg, this is R8 160/calf. If a calf only weans at 210kg, the return is only R7 140. This is a difference of R1 020/calf for the same input. The same principle applies to buying bulls. A cheap bull is not necessarily a bargain, and a bull that can give you an extra 10kg/calf (calculated on 30 calves a year over six years) will provide an extra R61 000 over his lifetime.

Another advantage of large national herds of a breed is that bulls sold to commercial farmers greatly benefit the industry as the selection pressure is very high, with only 10% of bulls entering the market.

Beefmaster SA

One of the policies of Beefmaster SA is that breeders should not show their cattle. This is very much in line with Lasater’s philosophy, as many breeds have been ruined by the over-feeding of animals for shows, and breeders showing a bias toward animals that may look good but are poor performers.

The leadership of the breed under the current Beefmaster SA president, Jan Schoeman, provides breeders with direction, wisdom and protection. Integrity is non-negotiable. The board is made up of a good mix of young and dynamic farmers, as well as older and more experienced farmers. The Beefmaster breeders are also superb representatives of the breed and the breeders’ society. The AGM testifies to the camaraderie and positive dynamic amongst the breeders. This is a unique quality in a breed society and provides a wonderful platform and atmosphere for growth and inspiration.

In the tough farming environment in South Africa, farmers need to work smarter and be more efficient, proactive, streetwise, innovative and positive. South African farmers are tougher and more resilient than many of their counterparts in other countries.

As such, Beefmaster SA urges you to stay strong and safe, and hope that you have a blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

• Phone Magda Beukes on 051 410 0935.

beefmaster breeders select only for six essential traits