Brahman cattle are a distinctive beef breed, recognized by their prominent hump, loose dewlap, and large, drooping ears. These animals possess unique characteristics that enable them to thrive in challenging environments.
Initial Imports and Key Figures
The presence of Zebuine (humped) cattle, which form the genetic foundation of Brahmans, in the United States dates back to the mid-19th century. One of the earliest recorded imports occurred in 1835 when Dr. Campbell and Campbell R. Bryce brought two Indian bulls and four cows from Egypt to South Carolina. Later, in 1849, Dr. James Bolton Davis of South Carolina also imported some Brahmans. Although the specific lineage of Davis’s cattle was largely lost during the Civil War, these early arrivals marked the beginning of Zebu genetics in America.
Further significant importations continued in the latter half of the 19th century. In 1854, Richard Barrow, a Louisiana sugar and cotton planter, received two Indian bulls as a gift from the British government. These bulls and their offspring, known as “Barrow Grade” cattle, became well-known throughout the Gulf Coast region. Later, in 1885, J.M. Frost and Albert Montgomery imported two more Indian bulls, named Khedive and Richard III, directly from India to New Orleans, breeding them with the descendants of Barrow’s cattle.
Small groups of Indian cattle continued to arrive in the U.S. up to about 1906. A notable example includes a bull named “Prince,” acquired by A.M. McFaddin in 1904 from the Hagenbeck Animal Show.
The largest early importation was funded by Thomas M. O’Connor and the estate of Shanghai Pierce, with A.P. Borden selecting fifty-one Brahman cattle from India in 1906. These cattle faced challenges, including a quarantine in New York harbor where some died from surra, leading to an import ban from India until 1946.
Establishing the Breed in America
The unique characteristics of Brahman cattle made them well-suited for the hot and humid climates of the American South. Their high tolerance for heat, sunlight, humidity, and resistance to parasites allowed them to thrive where many European breeds struggled.
This adaptability is due to their thick skin, which helps deter insects, and abundant sweat glands, which are four times more numerous than in other cattle breeds, enabling efficient body temperature regulation. The breed’s distinctive hump also plays a role in heat dissipation.
The American Brahman breed developed primarily from four Indian Bos indicus strains: Guzerat, Gir, Nellore, and Krishna Valley. Most Zebu cattle imported into the United States during the breed’s early development came from Brazil, especially after the 1906 import ban from India. In 1923-1924, ninety bulls of Guzerat, Gir, and Nellore types were imported from Brazil, followed by another significant importation in 1925.
To formalize and promote the breed, the American Brahman Breeders Association (ABBA) was founded in 1924, with J.W. Sartwelle proposing the name “Brahman.” The ABBA established a herd-book, closed in 1939 to register only offspring of registered parents, ensuring purity and standardization.
The breed quickly gained recognition for its hardiness, longevity, and ability to gain weight efficiently, even on marginal lands.
Lasting Influence on the Cattle Industry
Brahman cattle have had a significant impact on the American beef industry, primarily through their genetic contributions to crossbreeding programs. Their ability to impart heat tolerance, disease resistance, and foraging efficiency to their offspring has been invaluable. This led to the development of several new American beef breeds designed for challenging environments.
Examples include the Brangus, a cross between Brahman and Angus cattle, and the Santa Gertrudis, which combines Brahman, Shorthorn, and other genetics. The Beefmaster breed also incorporates Brahman influence, alongside Hereford and Shorthorn.
These crossbred animals benefit from hybrid vigor, combining desirable traits of both Bos indicus (Brahman) and Bos taurus (European) breeds. Brahman genetics have improved beef production in tropical and subtropical regions globally. Their continued relevance in modern cattle farming underscores their economic significance and role in sustainable beef production in warm climates.