Brahman
(most common name)
(transboundary/brand name)

(local/other name):
• American Brahman
• American zebu (Brazil)
• Brahman Cebu (Saint Lucia)

The Brahman was developed starting in the mid-1800s. The foundation stock consisted of approximately 300 various zebu cattle imported and sold over a span of 75+ years — with some being bought from the Hagenbeck Circus.

Brahman zebu foundation stock breeds include:
• Gir
• Kankrej
• Ongole
• Krishna Valley
• Red Sindhi

These zebus were crossed with American taurine cattle and this began the Brahman breed.

In 1924, the name ‘Brahman’, a breed society and herdbook were established. Ironically, because the Brahman is a beef breed, the name Brahman is derived from ‘Brahmin’ (a strictly vegetarian caste in India).

Other later major importations included mostly Guzerá and Indo-Brazilian from Brazil.

Brahman characteristics include:
• tolerance of or resistance to internal and external parasites
• ability to utilize fibrous (stringy, ropy) forage
• tolerance of heat and humidity

Brahman varieties:
• Grey Brahman
• Red Brahman

Use of Brahman in the origination of other breeds includes:
• Brahmousin
• Brahorn
• Bralers
• Brangus
• Bra-Swiss
• Simbrah

Today, approximately 30% of cattle in the USA contain some zebu genes.

NOTE: Neither the double-muscling gene nor the rob(1;29) chromosomal translocation (known to depress bull fertility) have been detected in this breed.

This page was last updated on: 2024-08-01

You can also go to:

My Daily Cow® USA and read about other American cattle breeds.

The Cow Wall® A-Z Cattle Breed Picture Reference to see other breeds of cattle in the world.