Origin of Breed
Red Brangus originated in 1936 on Malcolm Levi’s Paleface Ranch in Spicewood, TX. The combination is the mating of Black Angus cows and gray Brahman Bulls. The percentage of Brahman and Angus Blood can vary with each Registered Red Brangus: 5/8 to 3/8, ½ to ½, and 3/8 to 5/8.
After noticing the comparison of his Hereford and Red Brangus calves, Levi was astonished on the growth and dimension the Red Brangus possessed. By 1940, he was producing both Black and Red Brangus; however, he kept them separate to strengthen his Red Brangus herd. Levi sold his black cattle out in 1957. Their cattle remained successful even through a prolonged drought, in which their Brahman genetics proved helpful. Other ranchers and friends became interested in their successful herd. Soon after they recognized the need for an organization so they took out a state charter in 1956. The organization soon began with a total of nine ranchers. In 1959, Malcolm Levi and his son, Mike, founded the American Red Brangus Association.
Physical Description
Red Brangus are moderate to large framed and are red in color. These cattle are naturally polled. The females are very feminine with small ears and have good udders and milk production. They also have a high calving ease. The bulls are heavy muscled with a lot of depth but still have very clean underlines. Calves are have high weaning weights and are very hardy. The Red Brangus breed is known for their disease resistance due to their thick hide. Their longevity and docility makes them able to produce many calves in their long lifetime.
Defining Characteristics
Red Brangus Cattle have genetics that are ideal for tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. Red Brangus Cattle combine the hardiness, disease resistance and unmatched maternal instincts of the Brahman breed with the superior carcass quality, fertility, maternal and milking ability of the Angus. Red Brangus calves are small at birth, averaging 70 to 75 pounds, but yield high weaning weights. These calves continue to gain efficiently in the feedlot and yield the lean and tasty Yield Grade 2, Choice carcasses the consumer demands. Red Brangus exhibit early puberty, with heifers ready to breed at about 14 months and calve on or before their second birthdays, and bulls are ready for light service as early as 14 months. Both bulls and females retain their productivity well past many other breeds, with females still producing at 14 to 15 years of age and bulls in service at age 10 and older.
Red Brangus are a moderate size with mature females weighing in the range of 1,100 pounds and mature bulls weighing in the 2,000-pound range. Their red color is not only pleasing to many cattlemen, but eliminates pink eye and sunburned udders and allows the cattle to forage under extreme heat conditions while others are seeking shade or tanks. Their disposition makes them ideal for the wide-open spaces of the western ranges and safe for the weekend rancher. The natural polling of Red Brangus eliminates the danger of horns and the management chore of dehorning.
Development in America
After its start during the 1930’s, Red Brangus have proved successful in the United States and internationally. The breed has grown from its birth in Central and South Texas to commercial herds across the United States. Purebred breeders have sprung up in far away places like South Africa and several South American countries
Registry and Improvement Programs
The American Red Brangus Association is headquartered in Dripping Springs, Texas. The Association provides registrations, transfers, performance data, sales and member services, as well as a junior program, shows and scholarships.
http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/cattle/
http://americanredbrangus.org/
