|
WHAT IS A
BEEFMASTER
Genetically, a Beefmaster animal consists of approximately one
half Brahman blood, with the balance made up equally of Hereford
and Shorthorn blood.
In the 1930 depression years, the legendary cattle breeder Tom
Lasater needed profitable cattle which would survive the severe
economic hardships of the time.
This led to the development and perfection of the Beefmaster,
which retained the best characteristics of each of the individual
breeds. This was achieved after years of selective crossbreeding,
careful experimentation and drastic culling.
Throughout the history of the Beefmaster, the prime function of
the breed has been the production of beef. The best cattle produce
optimal high quality beef at the lowest cost and highest profit.
Thus the Beefmaster represents a specific breeding philosophy: the
production of high-mass weaning calves that are rapid growers at
minimum cost, care and attention.
The breeding and management programme which Tom Lasater
stringently followed is based on one of nature’s basic laws: “The
survival of the fittest”.
The Lasater concept of this law is intelligently applied through
selection for six essential characteristics which were focussed on
in the development of the Beefmaster breed.
These characteristics are: Fertility, Disposition, Weight,
Conformation, Hardiness and Milk Production. |
WAT IS 'N
BEEFMASTER
Beefmaster is ’n sintetiese ras wat geneties uit sowat een helfte
Brahman, ’n kwart Hereford en ’n kwart Korthoring bestaan.
Tydens die Depressie en ekonomiese druk van die 1930’s, het die
bekende beesteler, Tom Lasater, ter wille van oorlewing daarna
gestreef om die winsgewendste beesras te ontwikkel.
Die resultaat was die Beefmaster, waarin die beste eienskappe van
die onderskeie individuele rasse vasgelê is. Dit is bereik ná jare
van deurdagte kruisteling, omsigtige proefnemings en strawwe
seleksie.
Reg deur die geskiedenis van die Beefmaster, was vleisproduksie
die hoofdoel. Die beste beeste produseer optimaal hoë-gehalte
vleis teen die laagste koste = wins.
Die teling van Beefmasters is dus eerder ’n filosofie: die
produksie van swaar speenkalwers wat vinnig groei met die minste
koste, sorg en aandag.
Tom Lasater se teel- en bestuursprogram is gegrond op die natuur
se oudste wet en hy het nougeset daarby gehou: “Die oorlewing van
die sterkste”.
Lasater het die beginsel van dié'8e natuurwet slim toegepas deur
hom toe te spits op die seleksie vir die ses noodsaaklike
eienskappe vir die ontwikkeling van die Beefmasterras.
Hierdie eienskappe is: Vrugbaarheid, temperament, gewig, bouvorm,
gehardheid en melkproduksie. |
