RARE BREEDS TRUST OF AUSTRALIA
powered by TidyHQCATTLE: Belmont Red
CATTLE: Belmont Red
Country of Origin
Australia
Australian Status
Uses
Beef
Breed Traits
A good hot climate and tropical country breed, with some resistance to parasites and cattle ticks. The breed has been proved many times over as a docile beef producer, and is kept strong by rigorous testing of bulls. Red colour, with occasional white markings. Very well muscled breed. The carcass conversion is up to an outstanding 76% off grass.
Their heat resistance is combined with a wonderfully placid temperament, high fertility, and fast growth rates. Belmont Reds are constantly praised for their ability to withstand drought. Another desired trait is high fertility, a trait lacking in the Brahman.
An outstanding trait is the quality of the beef. Consistent winners in meat competitions such as Paddock to Plate, it is tender, juicy and full of flavour. The decision not to use Brahman as a founding breed was to seek tenderness, which comes genetically from the Afrikaner, ease of handling without aggression, and parasite resistance. They are also good doers.
The cattle are red colour, but colour is not considered as an important trait, rather the important qualities of good temperament, hot climate survival and good beef are looked for.
Belmonts are used to cross with other hot climate breeds, and the Belmont and Tropical Composite Register (BTCR) is used as a data base to record many breeds and their crosses for Breedplan, a government initiative Breedplan site.
History
This breed was developed by the CSIRO from 1954 on the cattle research property, Belmont, on the Fitzroy River in Queensland, near Rockhampton. A high standard was set. After comprehensive trials, the breed was released to breeders in 1969 according to the CSIRO. In 1972 the first lot went to the Maynard family of Mount Eugene in central Queensland, according to their website. On Mount Eugene for a further eight years, the CSIRO and DPI conducted more field trials. Mount Eugene runs Belmonts to this day and are proactive in scientific studies on all qualities of the breed.
After trying several lines and mixes, the breed at release had become essentially half Afrikaner, quarter Hereford and quarter Shorthorn. Returns for both grass and grain fed animals of this breed gives greater returns than Brahman derived breeds.
Upgrades by breeders may be undertaken, with Sanga such as Afrikander to a maximum of half, minimum of quarter genetic input; bos indicus including, oddly, Brahman to a maximum of a quarter genetic content; and British and European cattle which must be half the genetic content.
Breed Organisation
See Belmont Red Association of Australia
Australian Population
2022: 55 males; 920 females
Photo Credit
Belmont Red bull, by Cgoodwin, WikiMedia Commons
