It is distinguishable by its longish head and may be either horned or polled. You might also enjoy: Is The Use Of Crossbred & Composite Bulls Is Catching On? This website uses cookies. If youre looking for an affordable, highly adaptable, and hardy breed that is also easy to care for, then Barzona cattle may be the perfect choice for you. As you can probably gather from the name, the breed got its start in Arizona and is still a major contributor to beef production in the United States. Copyright 2023 American Barzona - All Rights Reserved. 8 Potential Methods. well under such environments. No matter where you live in the United States, Barzona cattle make great additions to small-scale farms, especially those that are just being established. Perhaps it is because they were developed in one of the most rugged and demanding areas of the country that Barzonas have proven themselves to be an exceptionally adaptable breed. With Barzonas in the hands of these practical cattlemen, supported by a well organized and active association, the stage was set for this breed to go ahead and make a substantial contribution to the beef industry in America. He combined the genetics of the Africander, Hereford, These cattle are very good at gaining weight and used as beef cattle breed but the disadvantage is still there. at birth. In January 1968 the Barzona Breeders Association of America was formed in Phoenix, Arizona. The development of the Barzona began in 1942 by F.N. Santa Gertrudis bulls were chosen for their Shorthorn genetics. Savanna is a former science teacher who is now a full-time freelance writer. In general, Barzona cattle are cheaper to care for due to their feeding ability and they require less medical care due to their natural disease resistance. The breeds selected to form the genetic pool were Hereford, Angus, Africander and Santa Gertrudis. They leave the bottoms, get up higher andget into rougher places. The breed is also well adapted to the rugged and rocky area, do well in extreme temperatures and sparse rainfall and also can do well in scattered feed. This is where Francis Norwood Bard set out in 1940 to develop a cow herd that could thrive in such a tough environment. From the Angus they wanted good carcass and marbling characteristics, small calf at birth followed by rich milk and good hindquarters, a Zebu-Angus bull was chosen. Barzona cattle were developed for rigorous range conditions and have performed very well under such environments. Macmillan They have been bred to be especially hardy, having good heat, insect and . The bulls of this breed do not produce much semen. 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Thus began an association that lasted twenty years. They yield Choice to Prime grade meat that is of the most desirable market weight due to their genetic size which was taken into account during their breeding. Well explain everything you need to know about this medium-sized and hardy breed and why it may be the right choice for you. The beef cow to be considered for breeding should be over 6 months old, with good certification, and tested as productive by a qualified herd specialist or veterinarian. While we provide information resources and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Alecia Heinz, Alvin & Karen's daughter, now keeps the records on the cattle herd, and her husband Matthew brings 6 generations of family farming and cattle background to the operation. They are generally medium red, but color may vary from dark to light red, with occasional white on the underline or switch. Barzona Breed Associations and Registries United States ability to utilize a high level of browse, as well as heat tolerance, insect anddisease The cows are very fertile and known for their easy calving. . temperatures, sparse rainfall, and scattered feed. Didn't find what you need? eliminating animals with Angus background from the breed to a point where the Barzona Disadvantages Of Barzona Cattle: The Barzona cattle are slower milkers than the other breeds of cattle. However, their color can vary from light to medium to dark red, and some may have white on their bellies or tail. A native African breed, the Africander dates back to The Barzona Breeders Association of America was formed in January 1968 in Phoenix. The Barzona cattle are a domestic breed of beef cattle developed in the United States. He worked with Elliot S. Humphrey to start his breeding program, and together they decided that they needed a breed that could withstand extremely hot spells and periods of drought, but also wet periods and cold and snowy spells in the more mountainous regions. In 1945 Bard employed Elliott S. (Jack) Humphrey to head his breeding program with instructions to find a breed or make a breed of cattle that, with the same number, on the same range, will produce more pounds of good sellable beef. This has resulted in the loss of too many calves from the herd over the years. var adElem = document.getElementById('vi-ad'); Barzona cattle are medium sized animals. Adult cows average 1,000 to 1,200 lbs., and consistently wean off 50% or better of their body weight while maintaining an efficient calving interval. Photo and info from The Cattle Site and ansi.okstate.edu. In the 1940s and 1950s, within the inter-mountain, high desert region of Arizona, these cattle were developed. Large breeds may have higher daily gains and weaning weights, but in some cases the disadvantages are more drastic. The bulls are very hardy and vigorous, exemplifying high libido. In our second year, 12/13 calves passed, all rating excellent with only 1 coming back "failed". They have a high percentage of lean and the meat is very tender. Sign up to our regular newsletter and access news from across the Global AG Media network. if (rect.top <= 0) { The health problems are also rare in this breed. Alvin was too busy for babysitting heavy calvers and pinkeye. pounds of salable beef", said Bard. Barzona cows are considered good mothers and the bulls are regarded as aggressive in their breeding performance. proportions. They are generally orange-red in color, but their body color may vary from dark red to light red. . When selecting bulls for breeding the cows should be hornless, age 3.5 years at least, and not less than 400 pounds in weight. Actually the breed has been bred to be especially hardy, having good heat, insect and disease tolerance. They get to places that were not grazed before we got them. They are a breed of beef cattle raised for meat in the state of California. Actual mature size varies somewhat with Right: Barzona breeding program bull, Mississippi State University 1980. Arizona: Ive never seen any cattle with Brahman in them that mature as early or are as naturally fertile as these red cows., Texas: The Barzonas have excellent heat tolerance, no foot rot, and flourish on grass-pasture type operations., California: Our Barzona and Barzona crosses really utilize our range. The calves are produced at a low rate and the population does not increase easily. Being a full member of the Barzona Breeders Association gets you free advertising on our website! The performance in the feedlot and on slaughter tests have also been satisfactory. Modern Barzona are a medium size beef animal. Pre-filling cattle and then limiting grazing time by moving animals into the pasture in late afternoon or evening usually works well. They produce an excellent carcass that has a high percentage of edible meat, with little waste fat. The Barzona is definitely a no frills breed, requiring less care and expensive inputs than other breeds. Pet Keen is reader-supported. And finally the Barzona cattle were a very hardy breed which were well adapted to their native area of Yavapai County of Arizona state. The large, long-framed animals are also very deep in the chest with a full double layer of thick muscle over the ribs. The association provides a registry of purebred and percentage Barzona cattle and promotes the continued improvement of the Barzona breed. We used to see Beefmaster bulls on test at our test station and they didn't gain well. Feb 5, 2004. The infusion of Africander blood into the Barzona gene pool has much to do with the breeds exceptional hardiness. This makes them able to find food in a variety of climates and regions. They are also naturally disease and parasite resistant, requiring less vet care and medication. But they do not tolerate cold weather well, and they do not grow as rapidly in cold areas. The Barzona are a breed of beef cattle, developed in the United States, in the high desert, inter-mountain region of Arizona in the 1940s and 1950s. With light birth weight, streamline shaped calves, they tend to calve easily without assistance and breed back year after year even under stressed conditions. Alvin & Karen Havens started their herd in 1989. In cattle and sheep, rumen microbes supply the digestive enzymes necessary for the breakdown of plant cellulose and hemicellulose. Barzona cattle are described as being medium-sized as well as being smooth, long-bodied, and well-balanced. These cattle are very profitable in terms of meat, dairy, and fertility. All Barzona cattle are red in color, with most being medium-red. if ((_footer && _footer.getBoundingClientRect().top < 500)) { Another reason that Barzona cattle are so adaptable and hardy is that they use grazing and browsing to find food. Which Ones? Starting in the mountain and desert regions, this hardy breed has moved across the country, from the snows of the Northwest to the grasslands of the Midwest, to the swamps of the Southeast.Cattlemen in the desert regions of the West like their ability to travel great distances from water and survive on rough, lowly palatable forages. The moderate sized females produce more pounds of calf per cow at less expense and throughout a longer, more productive lifetime. cattle of today are without any Angus parentage. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. The South Poll cows have a great mothering instinct, with ease in calving, great udders, and a high degree of milking ability. Whether you have concerns about your dog, cat, or other pet, trained vets have the answers! Longevity: It is quite regular for a 15 year old cow to be sound mouthed healthy and fertile. Barzona. adElem.style.visibility = 'hidden'; We're proud of our breed and are happy to assist you in any way. to the north and southeast. Alvin & Karen strive to keep their herd producing under worry free management. I hope that you enjoy this post and I hope that you will come back again because there are always new posts to read! Bard, in correspondence with the author ofModern Breeds of Livestock, indicates that They started with the premise that cattle and the traits that allow them to survive and produce marketable beef on a regular and profitable basis, must match or be compatible with their environment. Wanted from the Africander were good milk production, ability for high browse utilization, small calf at birth, hide, pigment and hair coat for heat and insect tolerance, close sheath, body depth and genes for marbling without excessive back fat. Barzona is so heavy that they cannot produce milk in good quantity. They tend to reach puberty early and are useful throughout a long productive life. adElem.style.opacity = '0'; By 1968, Barzona cattle were genetically recognised as an established breed, were well accepted by feeders and packers and the bulls were in demand by commercial ranchers for use in crossbreeding programs. They have purchased and raised their own Barzonas, and also try different crossbreedings to provide data for commercial producers. The Barzona cattle are slower milkers than the other breeds of cattle. When choosing a breed for either a commercial or purebred operation, base your decision on profitability. Traits you can't get anywhere else. Even Barzona calves are very hardy and are strong-willed even at birth. var width = window.innerWidth; Even though they were originally bred to survive the varying climates in Arizona, Barzona cattle are now found all over the United States due to their adaptability and hardiness. To be held in the home of the Barzona, Arizona. Is a smooth, long bodied, well balanced, medium size beef animal. The Barzona will hang a high yielding, Choice to Prime carcass at the most desirable market weight. The skin on a Barzona is clear and tight. Barzona cattle have excellent body capacity and smooth lines throughout. Barzonas were specifically chosen because of their maintenance free operation, and overall profitability. You can find Barzona cattle in snowy regions due to their ability to grow thicker coats during the winter, grasslands due to their exceptional grazing ability, and swamps due to their heat tolerance and insect and parasite resistance. A large majority of our second year testing was on our 1st calf heifers. Barzonas excel in feedlot performance due to a bred-in ability to convert feed efficiently into red meat. Whether it be simple farm ads or animals you have available, let us help! (vitag.Init = window.vitag.Init || []).push(function () { viAPItag.display("vi_1472596215") }), The purebred operation requires more time, record keeping and initial input. Barzona cattle were developed for rigorous range conditions and have performed very Have to be 3/8 Brahman and 5/8 Hereford to be . Like many other domestic cattle breeds, the Barzona cattle also require lots of clean and fresh drinking water daily. These hardy, red haired cattle are adaptable to extreme temperatures, sparse rainfall, rigorous range conditions, and calve naturally without human help. And they didn & # x27 ; re proud of our second year testing on. Tests have also been satisfactory producing under worry free management are more drastic 'vi-ad ' ) ; br. 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