"Selectively Breeding Beefmaster's with Superior Genetics for  Beef Production and Profitability"

WHY SHOULD YOU CONSIDER INTRODUCING BEEFMASTER GENETICS INTO YOUR HERD?

A Beefmaster is a product of the original Bos Indicus/Bos Taurus combination which was selected for functional, reproductive and production efficiency as explained in the six point plan by Tom Lasater. The six point plan entails the following:

Fertility

From an economical viewpoint this is the most important trait for selection and is breed into the Beefmaster bull & cow. A heifer/cow must breed as soon as possible and must suckle a calf every year under natural feeding conditions. If not, she must be culled immediately. Bulls must also be kept under the same circumstances and must have the ability and libido to perform and to mate with the cows. The benefit is a more fertile and productive herd with more conception and calves resulting in more money at the sale barn.

Disposition

Good natured cattle tend to breed earlier, are easier and cheaper to handle and have a better growth rate. This will result in a higher income. This principle is believed to be valid under both natural and feedlot conditions. Wild cattle are difficult not only to handle but prone to injury not only to themselves but to you or others.

Weights

Animals with a heavier mass and greater growth rate kept under the same circumstances as the others, are animals which will make the breeder a greater profit. Beefmaster's have been subjected to performance testing for more than 50 years and it is still a prerequisite for breeding Beefmaster's. The benefit of heavier weaning calves means more dollars at sale time.

Conformation

Condition is the result of functionality: Bulls must be well muscled, cows must be feminine and produce small calves at birth. Ease of calving is very important. The benefit of low birth weights, heavy weaning weights and correct conformation can not be over emphasized as this will produce profits at the time of sale.

Hardiness

Hardy animals have the ability to stay healthy and productive under various farming and climatic conditions. This means smaller losses and higher profits.

Milk production

A cow must have enough milk to produce a weaned calf with a good body mass, despite the nutritional conditions under which the cow and calf were kept.

The Beefmaster breed was, and still is being bred and developed around these six essential requirements. The Beefmaster is currently the fastest growing breed in America. Throughout the Beefmaster's history the aim has always been to produce meat. The best cattle produce a high quality meat at the lowest cost. The value of the Beefmaster bloodline is precious because it continuously produces more meat at a lower cost.

Beefmaster's are measured by setting definite objectives and not by man’s preconceived ideas of what cattle should look like. Beefmaster's will vary phenotypically according to their climate and feeding conditions, but will always have one thing in common. They are selected for the fact that they are a profit making breed.