Starting in the mountain and desert regions, this hardy breed has moved across the country, from the snows of the Northwest to the grasslands of the Midwest, to the swamps of the Southeast.Cattlemen in the desert regions of the West like their ability to travel great distances from water and survive on rough, lowly palatable forages. It debuted in 1968 and has since been exported around the world, particularly to other western countries. The Barzona cattle are a domestic breed of beef cattle developed in the United States. Using oils, detergents or poloxalene (trade name . Barzonas possess a high degree of herd instinct and are curious and intelligent, but quiet and easy to handle. This website uses cookies. of the breeding operations. The BBAA is flexible, uncomplicated, run by practical cowmen and dedicated to keeping pace with the ever-changing needs of . a breed of cattle, that, with the same number,on the same range, will produce more Barzona are generally orange-red, but color may vary from dark tolight Barzona cattle are actually a beef cattle breed. By 1968, Barzona cattle were genetically recognized as an established breed, were well accepted by feeders and packers and the bulls were in demand by commercial ranchers for use in crossbreeding programs. The commercial operation is generally a lower-input, lower-risk type of venture. The Barzona Breeders Association of America (BBAA) is a non-profit organization established in 1968 to serve its growing number of breeders. window.onscroll = function () { Photo and info from The Cattle Site and ansi.okstate.edu. var width = window.innerWidth; Learn more. They decided that the best way to achieve a breed with all of these characteristics was to breed Hereford, Angus, Africander, and Santa Gertrudis cattle to create the Barzona breed. Alvin & Karen Havens started their herd in 1989. They are also naturally disease and parasite resistant, requiring less vet care and medication. Feb 5, 2004. Their meat is also muscular and well-marbled and has a high lean-to-fat ratio. They occasionally have white on the underline or switch. In our second year, 12/13 calves passed, all rating excellent with only 1 coming back "failed". Males have small testicles, low libido, and poor fertility. Limiting access to legume pastures until animal adaptation can occur also helps as does the mowing of the field and then allowing 1 or 2 days before pasturing. All Rights Reserved | No part of this site may be reproduced without permission. They are generally orange-red in color, but their body color may vary from dark red to light red. Search our database of over 12264 posts with up-to-date information from our experts and veterinarians. Santa Gertrudis bulls were chosen for their Shorthorn genetics. Bard and Humphrey's dedication to keeping records and performance data and their unmerciful selection pressure on the cattle for the desired traits and culling those animals that did not measure up to their standards is responsible for the built-in quality of today's Barzona cattle. Any outsider can easily get to them. The type and color of the cow will determine the bull to be chosen for breeding purposes. Barzona cows are considered good mothers and the bulls are regarded as aggressive in their breeding performance. Karen runs her own accounting firm and knows what it takes to make money on the farm. (vitag.Init = window.vitag.Init || []).push(function () { viAPItag.display("vi_1472596215") }), get into rougher places. They leave the bottoms, get up higher andget into rougher places. } F.N. Those animals with the most desirable at birth. Barzonas possess a high degree of herd instinct and are curious and intelligent. are regarded as aggressive in their breeding performance. Is a smooth, long bodied, well balanced, medium size beef animal. They tend to reach puberty early and are useful throughout a long productive life. records were used back in the breeding program. They have good conformation which produces a good carcass. Barzona cattle usually stay inside and do not go out which makes them hard to identify any outsider. Watch for upcoming dates for this year's annual Convention. And since they are used primarily for beef production instead of milk, you dont need a lot of specialized milking equipment for them. Barzona cattle are excellent at grazing on hillsides and have a remarkable ability to utilize rough, hilly, brushy, or rocky land with little or no supplemental feed. The Barzona is definitely a no frills breed, requiring less care and expensive inputs than other breeds. They have very hardy and strong feet and legs which are very suitable for browsing tough conditions. From the Angus they wanted good carcass and marbling characteristics, small calf at birth followed by rich milk and good hindquarters, a Zebu-Angus bull was chosen. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. cattle of today are without any Angus parentage. Bard, in correspondence with the author ofModern Breeds of Livestock, indicates that All Barzona cattle are red in color, with most being medium-red. This makes them able to find food in a variety of climates and regions. Use the search! They are also highly adaptable to their environments. The Sanga, or Africander traits were concentrated on to maintain the sub-tropical effects of the breed's hardiness. In the 1940s and 1950s, within the inter-mountain, high desert region of Arizona, these cattle were developed. The development of the Barzona began in 1942 by F.N. Barzonas were specifically chosen because of their maintenance free operation, and overall profitability. They are, in approximately equal proportions, a combination of Africander, Hereford, Beef Shorthorn and Angus. The Aricander bulls were bred to Hereford cows, and the Hereford cattle breed was selected for their good hindquarters, early maturity, close sheath and range ability. "I want to find a breed-or make Read some more information about the breed below. Male Barzona cattle tend to reach puberty at an early age and have a long, productive life. These cattle can easily live in rocky areas and can survive on scattered feed. This is where Francis Norwood Bard set out in 1940 to develop a cow herd that could thrive in such a tough environment. In the Netherlands, it was developed in the region of the three rivers from which it gets its name. adElem.style.top = ''; So they do not give good. Alecia Heinz, Alvin & Karen's daughter, now keeps the records on the cattle herd, and her husband Matthew brings 6 generations of family farming and cattle background to the operation. Here you will find performance and pedigree information that will assist you to select genetics that return dollars to your operation. adElem.style.zIndex = '21'; var _footer = document.querySelector("#colophon"); The large, long-framed animals are also very deep in the chest with a full double layer of thick muscle over the ribs. a breed that would be adaptable to their area which was rugged and rocky, with extreme Copyright (c) 2017 BARZONA BREEDERS ASSOCIATION. They have very hardy and strong feet and legs which are very suitable for browsing tough conditions. They are distinguishable by their longish head and may be either horned or polled. Todays Barzona exhibits all these traits, plus the ability to grow thicker hair in colder climates.Barzona calves are exceptionally hardy, exhibiting high vigor and a bred-in will to live at birth. var adElemSticky = document.getElementById('vi-sticky-ad'); Barzona. Grazing involves the cattle feeding on low-growing vegetation, while browsing involves feeding on high-growing vegetation. However, their actual size will vary depending on their environment. or polled. Which Ones? A calf's entire immune system comes from passive transfer via colostrum intake. Have to be 3/8 Brahman and 5/8 Hereford to be . Whether it be simple farm ads or animals you have available, let us help! In 1945 Bard employed Elliott S. (Jack) Humphrey to head his breeding program with instructions to find a breed or make a breed of cattle that, with the same number, on the same range, will produce more pounds of good sellable beef. Bard and his wife, at their ranch [1] They are, in approximately equal proportions, a combination of Africander, Hereford, Beef Shorthorn and Angus. Make sure you are in the know when we have new babies hitting the ground! Featured Image Credit: Anjela Lee, Shutterstock, 5 Best Sources of Iron for Dogs (& How Much They Need Daily), Cute Frogs: 9 Pictures That Will Make You Happy. In our first year of testing, 100% of our randomly tested calves passed and 64% of those were rated "Excellent". With Barzonas in the hands of these practical cattlemen, supported by a well organized and active association, the stage was set for this breed to go ahead and make a substantial contribution to the beef industry in America. Modern Barzona are a medium size animal. 2000 - 2023 - Global Ag Media. PetKeen.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. Disadvantages: slower application time Other considerations: producers suggest using gasoline in lieu of 99% alcohol to keep irons cool, but still to use 99% alcohol to wet hide pre-branding or to mist irons while branding. In the north country they find that they adapt easily to freezing temperatures and severe weather, even at calving time. Copyright (c) 2017 BARZONA BREEDERS ASSOCIATION. If youre looking for an affordable, highly adaptable, and hardy breed that is also easy to care for, then Barzona cattle may be the perfect choice for you. As increasing numbers of cattlemen were becoming interested in having purebred herds, the need for a breed association was apparent. Contact your local breeder to set up a private treaty sale, and watch our updates closely for news regarding our Breed Barzona Auction, coming in January of 2023! However, their color can vary from light to medium to dark red, and some may have white on their bellies or tail. Make sure you are in the know when we have new babies hitting the ground! Barzona are generally orange-red, but colour may vary from dark to light red. Research has proven that most of this intake needs to happen in the first 2 hours of life. After the second cross, breed percentages were no longer factored into the breeding program. They hoped to develop (function () { Your email address will not be published. adElem.style.zIndex = ''; The best cattle in the developing Barzona Breeder Association of AmericaBox 631Prescott, AZ 86302Phone: (602) 445-5150, Briggs, H.M. & D.M. The health problems are also rare in this breed. have also been satisfactory. Barzona cattle are a breed of beef cattle raised for meat in the state of California. Perhaps it is because they were developed in one of the most rugged and demanding areas of the country that Barzonas have proven themselves to be an exceptionally adaptable breed. Bard Cattle Company has raised and marketed Foundation Barzona Cattle since 1974. The association provides a registry of purebred and percentage Barzona cattle and promotes the continued improvement of the Barzona breed. and the ability to walk with ease, graze sparse ranges and survive under arid conditions. The cattlemen involved in the BBAA believe in the true economics of commercial beef production. Actual mature size varies somewhat with The purebred operation requires more time, record keeping and initial input. Barzona cattle are great for small-scale farming due to being a fairly low-maintenance breed. Barzona Cattle Advantages var adElemSticky = document.getElementById('vi-sticky-ad'); Pinkeye and cancer eye are almost non-existent in the breed due to their dark pigmentation and deeper eye set. if (width <= 900) { No matter where you live in the United States, Barzona cattle make great additions to small-scale farms, especially those that are just being established. It debuted in 1968 and has since been exported around the world, particularly to other western countries. You can consider feeding your animals with silage, especially during the dry season. It is known for feet and legs built to handle rough country, an ability to utilize a high level of browse, and wild type grazing, as well as heat tolerance and insect and disease resistance. Balancer Cattle Characteristics. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. adElem.style.height = rect.height + 'px'; Temperatures varied from the teens in the winter to over 115 degrees in the summer on the 400 square mile area. They have been bred to be especially hardy, having good heat, insect and . You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Today, Barzona cattle still make a large contribution to Americas beef industry. proportions. There is a tendency for the calves born from Barzona cattle to grow slowly but fatten quickly after weaning. eye set. Walter Kruse Black, black-white, cream, gray red, and brown are the most common colors. The animals will utilize every bit of available grass and browse. Senepol cattle are red in colour, medium sized, naturally polled cattle. Bard and Humphrey determined that for cattle to cope with this environment they had to be of a hardy nature, able to take care of themselves and that certain characteristics were needed: natural fertility, good mothering instinct, milking ability, aggressive breeding habits, feet and legs to handle tough country, ability to utilize excess of browse, wild type grazing habits, easy calving, heat tolerance, insect tolerance, medium size with the conformation of a profitable beef animal. adElem.style.height = ''; Right: Barzona breeding program bull, Mississippi State University 1980. The infusion of Africander blood into the Barzona gene pool has much to do with the breeds exceptional hardiness. Humphrey's knowledge of the ranching business combined with Bard's business sense and background in agriculture provided the bedrock of the development of Barzona cattle. The Barzona is distinguishable by its longish head and may be either horned or polled. It was developed in the 1940s and 1950s in the high desert, inter-mountain region of Arizona. Female Barzona cattle are very fertile and can birth calves as young as two years old. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies. Copyright (c) 2017 BARZONA BREEDERS ASSOCIATION. The performance in the feedlot and on slaughter tests adElem.style.opacity = '1'; adElem.style.opacity = '0'; Barzona cows are considered good mothers and the bulls Disadvantages Of Barzona Cattle: The Barzona cattle are slower milkers than the other breeds of cattle. Their actual size an vary depending on the environment. They get to places that were not grazed before we got them. Barzona cattle can easily adjust itself in the native area of Yavapai which is a country located in Arizona state. I like their temperament we can handle more Barzona cows with less help.. eliminating animals with Angus background from the breed to a point where the Barzona Balancer cattle combine the Gelbvieh's growth, endurance, and muscle mass with Angus's calving ease, reasonable size, and mottling. The Angus cattle breed was selected for their carcass qualities and marbling characteristics, and also for small calf at birth, rich milk and good hindquarters. They are a breed of beef cattle raised for meat in the state of California. 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