Belmont Red is a beef cattle breed that was developed in Belmont, Rockhampton, Australia, by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) (see refs.).
In 1954, CSIRO initiated a crossbreeding program to improve the region’s cattle in terms of heat tolerance, tick resistance, fertility, and meat quality.
The Belmont Red cattle breed was a successful outcome of crossbreeding Afrikaner (African Sanga), Brahman, Hereford, and Polled Shorthorn bulls with Hereford and Polled Shorthorn cows. These breeding programs resulted in three distinct genetic lines based on the differences between the sire breeds.
The resulting Belmont Red has shown high fertility rates, adaptability to harsh environments, and superior meat quality.
Contents
Genetic Lines
The three genetic lines are:
- Afrikaner-British Cross (Afrikaner × Hereford/Shorthorn): This line combined the Afrikaner’s natural heat tolerance and resistance to ticks with the fertility and meat quality traits of British breeds. The resulting cattle, which later became the Belmont Red, demonstrated high fertility, adaptability to harsh environments, and superior meat quality. This cross was recognized early in the research program as the most promising due to its well-balanced traits.
- Brahman-British Cross (Brahman × Hereford/Shorthorn): This genetic line aimed to integrate the Brahman’s exceptional tolerance to heat and resistance to parasites with the strengths of British breeds. While the Brahman cross displayed strong environmental adaptability and growth rates, it exhibited lower fertility and a less docile temperament compared to the Afrikaner-British cross.
- British Cross (Hereford × Shorthorn): Serving as a control group, this line consisted of pure British breed crosses to provide a benchmark for evaluating the benefits of incorporating tropically adapted breeds. The Hereford-Shorthorn cross allowed researchers to measure how the addition of Afrikaner and Brahman genetics influenced overall performance.
In the end, the Afrikaner-British cross proved to be the most successful, leading to the establishment of the Belmont Red breed.
Genetic Composition for Registration
When registering cattle, the Belmont Breed Society requires the following genetic composition:
- African Sanga breeds (such as Africander or similar) – between 1/4 and 1/2.
- Temperate breeds (British or European) – at least 1/2, but no more than 1/2.
- Indicus breeds (such as Brahman or similar) – up to 1/4.
Characteristics
Color
Belmont Red cattle have a solid red coat that varies from a rich, dark red to a lighter, reddish-brown hue. This consistent red coloration is a key breed characteristic, inherited primarily from the Afrikaner and British breed influences.
Body
These cattle are robust and well-built, with a deep chest, muscular body, and strong legs suited for efficient grazing. They have a loose hide, a visible dewlap, and medium-sized ears that slightly droop. Their head is moderate in size, featuring a straight or mildly curved profile, and they are naturally polled.
Size
These cattle are classified as having a medium to large frame.
Lifespan
They can live 15 to 20 years. Their productive life lasts nearly their entire lifespan, with some cows continuing to breed and calve annually for up to 16 years.
Growth Rate
How fast do they grow?
These cattle have an above-average growth rate compared to other breeds, and in some studies, they outperformed other breeds under controlled conditions.
Research at the Narayen research station showed that Belmont Reds were 9% heavier on improved pastures and 14% heavier on native spear grass pastures compared to Herefords. In the same way, at Brigalow, they demonstrated a 7% weight advantage.
These cattle gain weight efficiently, averaging 1.54 to 1.76 lbs (0.7 to 0.8 kg) per day. In some cases, breeders have recorded calves growing at 2.47 lbs (1.12 kg) per day over 200 days.
Weight
The mature weight of this breed is about 2,094 lbs (950 kg) for bulls and 1,213 to 1,323 lbs (550 to 600 kg) for females.
A study comparing Belmont Red and Bonsmara cattle in South Africa found that Belmont Red-sired calves had lighter birth weights, averaging 79 lbs (35.9 kg), while Bonsmara-sired calves averaged 82.2 lbs (37.3 kg).
For post-weaning growth, data from Aus-Meat trials showed that Belmont Reds gained an average of 244 lbs (110.6 kg) under grass-fed export conditions, which was higher than the trial average of 223 lbs (101.3 kg).
On top of that, at 379 days of age at Brigalow, Belmont Reds were 13.5% heavier than Herefords, proving their strong growth potential.
Slaughtered Time
The ideal slaughter age for these cattle is between 18 to 20 months. They have a high dressing percentage, averaging around 70%, with some reports even reaching 75%.
Temperament
They have a calm and docile temperament, despite having Brahman genetics, which can sometimes lead to more aggressive behavior in other breeds. They do not display restless or unpredictable behavior, such as jumping fences or being overly playful like some other breeds. Instead, they have a stable energy level, preferring to graze peacefully and spend their time on pasture, focusing on feeding.
Their gentle nature not only makes handling safer for farmers but also contributes to better meat quality. Research has shown a strong link between good temperament and superior meat quality, making these cattle a reliable breed in beef production.
Meat
These cattle produce exceptionally tender meat, ranking higher in shear force tests compared to breeds like Shorthorn, Brahman, and even Brahman-Shorthorn crossbred steers.
Meat quality evaluations from the CRC Meat Quality tests show that Belmont Red ranks just below Angus and Shorthorn in desirability, placing it ahead of Hereford and several other breeds.
According to Narayen research data, Belmont Red also stands out for its high intramuscular fat (IMF) content. When compared to Angus, Hereford, Shorthorn, Charolais, Limousin, Santa Gertrudis, and Brahman, Belmont Red consistently scored high in marbling
Raising
Feeding
These cattle have a strong genetic influence from the Afrikaner breed, which makes them excellent foragers. Because of this, they require a diet rich in forage.
It’s important to provide them with access to a large pasture with good vegetation, allowing them to graze freely as needed. They can grow and maintain weight on forage alone, without needing grains or other supplements.
However, you must ensure the pasture stays in good condition and remains nutrient-rich. If forage quality drops, the cattle may start losing weight.
A key rule when raising these cattle is that they can grow and maintain weight on high-quality forage but may lose weight on low-quality forage.
You also need to provide them with a good source of fresh water.
Environment
You can raise these cattle in open pastures, where they do well on good-quality forage alone. They also grow well in managed systems, where they eat a mix of forage and extra feed, as they adapt well to both.
Climate and Shelter
These cattle can be raised in both tropical and temperate regions, tolerating temperatures from 21°F(-6°C) in winter to 104°F (+40°C) in summer.
While they are highly adaptable, they still require proper shelter or shade to grow well and stay healthy.
In hot climates, providing adequate shade helps them regulate body temperature and prevent heat stress. You can use a simple shelter, portable shade structures, or natural shade from trees to keep them comfortable.
In temperate regions, where extreme weather conditions like heavy rain or cold winds can be a challenge, having a more protective shelter support their health and well-being.
How many acres per head of cattle?
One Belmont Red cattle needs 4 to 15 acres, depending on forage availability, quality, climate, and management practices. In areas with rich, high-quality forage, fewer acres per animal are required, while in regions with lower-quality or less abundant forage, more land is needed to support each animal.
Breeding
Heifers can be used for breeding starting at 12 to 15 months of age. It is important that they weigh at least 573 lbs (260 kg) before their first pregnancy to ensure a healthy and successful calving.
Bulls can start breeding as early as 11 to 14 months old. Both males and females have high fertility from a young age, as strong reproductive performance is a key trait of this breed.
Breeding Method
The most common breeding method for this breed is natural mating. A good approach is to introduce the bull to the cows in a strict 12-week mating period to maintain high fertility and controlled breeding. The bull’s presence boosts libido and fertility, ensuring successful reproduction.
Bull-to-Cow Ratio
Young bulls can breed with up to 50 females.
Mature bulls can handle up to 80 females in a controlled breeding season.
Belmont Red bulls have short sheaths, which reduces the risk of injuries and allows them to breed for several years. Females are also capable of calving even after 16 years of age.
Gestation and Lactation
The gestation period is similar to other cattle breeds, averaging 283 days. Belmont Red cows have exceptional reproductive efficiency. Studies show that 80% of first-lactation heifers become pregnant again within 12 weeks post-calving, leading to an inter-calving interval of less than 12 months.
Their lactation lasts an average of 200 days, and their milk contains 4.1% fat.
If needed, here is a Cattle Gestation Calculator & Calendar
Calving Ease
Due to the low birth weight of the calves, these cattle rarely require assistance at birth, as calving complications are uncommon.
Use in Crossbreeding
Belmont Red bulls are often used in crossbreeding programs.
Research conducted at the Belmont Research Station showed that Belmont Red bulls had a higher percentage of live sperm (79%) and fewer minor defects (9%) than Brahman Composites, which had 71% live sperm and 13% abnormalities.
Furthermore, more Brahman Composite bulls had sperm counts below 60% live sperm than Belmont Reds. The standard threshold for normal bull semen quality is set at 60% live sperm.
A study at the Belmont Research Station found that at 6 months old (344lbs / 156 kg), Belmont Red bull calves had larger and heavier testicles than Brahman Composites. Their testicles were 41% heavier, 16% wider, and 13% longer.
Terminal vs. Maternal
This breed is both maternal and terminal. As a maternal breed, the females are used for breeding due to their strong mothering skills, high fertility, good milk production, and adaptability. As terminal sires, the bulls can produce offspring with improved growth rates and superior carcass qualities.
Health Issues
Belmont Red cattle do not get sick often and have strong disease resistance.
Their genetics make them hardy and adaptable, helping them fight off parasites like ticks and buffalo flies.
They also handle hot weather and dry conditions well, staying healthy and productive even in tough environments. While no cattle are completely free from disease, Belmont Reds rarely have health problems.
Advantages
- Good size and growth rate
- Docile temperament
- High dressing percentage
- Quality beef
- Adaptability
- Fertility
- Tick resistance
- Low maintenance
- Efficient feed conversion
- Ease of calving
- Heat and drought tolerance
Disadvantages
- Limited availability: As a breed developed in Australia, Belmont Reds may have limited availability in other regions.
- Market Recognition: Being a relatively newer breed, they might not have the same level of market recognition as more established breeds
- Moderate growth rate
References
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