Pros and Cons of Brahman Cattle 

Originating from India, Brahman cattle have become one of the best-loved breeds in the US. Over the years, the breed’s beef characteristics and temperament have been improved through careful breeding. 

These cattle are known for their excellent beef production, though they are also used to create unique crossbreeds.

There is a lot to consider before you add Brahman cattle to your farm or homestead. Like all breeds, they come with a list of pros and cons you’ll need to factor in. To ensure you make the most knowledgeable choice, check out the pros and cons of Brahman cattle below…

What are the pros of Brahman cattle?

Brahman cattle regularly rank as the number one breed in terms of heat tolerance, efficiency, and hybrid vigor. Females produce more milk, have a higher fertility rate, and wean their calves faster than many other breeds out there. Let’s take a look at some of their main advantages in a little more detail…

Highly adaptive – Brahman cattle are one of the most adaptive breeds. They can flourish in a range of climates and environments.

They produce healthier meat – The meat produced by Brahman cattle contains less fat than a lot of other breeds. This makes them a popular choice for farmers due to a shift in consumer focus to healthier meats. 

Insect, disease, and heat tolerance – The last thing you want when purchasing cattle is to go on to spend a fortune treating all kinds of problems and diseases. The Brahman breed is well known for being highly resistant to disease and insects. They are also heat tolerant, which means you won’t need to pay out as much in veterinary bills if you choose this hardy breed. 

Great for crossbreeding – You will often find that Brahman cattle are used for crossbreeding. They have a high amount of vigor, making them suitable for crossbreeding with a wide range of cattle. You could create your own unique variety if you want to, setting you apart from other local breeders. 

Excellent foragers – Brahman cattle are excellent foragers. They aren’t fussy eaters which makes them one of the easier breeds to raise.  

Great mothering ability – When it comes to breeding, Brahmans make excellent mothers. They produce plenty of milk and have a natural protective instinct for their young. You also won’t experience many issues with birthing. 

These are the main advantages, so what about the disadvantages of the breed? 

What are the cons of Brahman cattle?

Brahman cattle have far more positives than they do downsides. However, you still need to be aware of the disadvantages before deciding whether to add them to your farm. The main cons of the breed include:

They can become aggressive and protective of their young – The fact that Brahman cattle are excellent mothers is one of the main reasons farmers choose to raise them. However, they can become aggressive and protective over their young. When calving, care will need to be taken as usually docile cows can turn aggressive quite quickly. 

Prone to some genetic defects – Brahman cattle are generally quite healthy animals. However, they are still prone to a few genetic defects. One of them is known as weak calf syndrome. This causes the calf to be too weak to stand after they are born. They will typically die within a few days if they have this defect. 

They are allergic to chemicals – Did you know Brahman cattle are allergic to chemicals? If you plan on using insecticides, for example, you might need to reconsider. The majority of insecticides are unsafe for use around Brahman cattle.  

Baggy skin – Brahman cows are quite baggy skin, known to catch or get trodden on. When this occurs, it can lead to some pretty nasty injuries. This isn’t just unpleasant for the cow, but it can also be costly to treat too. 

Before committing to the Brahman breed, you need to factor in both the pros and the cons. Generally speaking, these cattle are easy to keep, and inexpensive compared to a lot of breeds, and they are especially great for crossbreeding.