Braford was created to provide a consistent and efficient product for beef production. The breed was made by a cross between a Hereford bull and a Brahman cow. They carry the characteristics of both races. This was done for the first time with the creation of Partin and Hudgins, Alto Adams Jr., Florida, in 1947. Some attempts were necessary to obtain the right genetics, since the first bulls suffered from hoof and sclerotic problems and were not used to the Florida climate.

They started experimenting with different types of Brahman-Hereford bulls. Eventually, he identified Braford bulls that were producing calves according to his needs, and he used these bulls and their descendants to form what is recognized as the founding herd of the Braford breed in the United States. Basing the selection of bulls on weaning and one-year weights, allowing natural selection to eliminate calving problems, Adams Ranch Brafords has improved over the years to such an extent that Adams Ranch began to think about developing and recognizing the breed.

There is also a separate bloodline in Australia. The Australian breed Braford was developed in Queensland, between 1946 and 1952. It is now a stabilized breed with approximately 50% Hereford and 50% Brahman genetic background.

The Braford breed in Brazil is the result of intense work by breeders, researchers, technicians, and directors of this Association. In 1993, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply recognized it as a breed in training. Ten years later he obtained its official recognition published in Ordinance No. 587 of June 5, 2003. However, its training in the South Brazilian fields began at least 30 years before the officialization.

Braford is red as a Hereford, with a white belly, head, and feet. It is more robust than a Hereford, due to Brahman’s genetics. The Braford breed is mainly used as beef, but sometimes used for rodeos in the United States.

Brafords are known for their high maternal ability. Sexual precocity, fertility, easy calving, ideal milk production, maternal aptitude, and productive longevity have given Braford this distinctive reputation. The cattle are approximately 3/8 from Brahman and 5/8 from Hereford.

Brafords are also resistant to heat and insects because of a naturally occurring chemical in their blood. They perform better in hot climates.

Brafords have always been recognized for their superior maternal ability. Early puberty, fertility, easy calving, ideal milk production, maternal aptitude, and productive longevity are attributes that have given Braford females this distinctive reputation. The use of Braford bulls in pure-bred or adapted crossbred cows allows breeders to produce excellent replacement females with Braford’s maternal stock.

Braford bulls are not terminal bulls. Braford breeders were careful to increase the growth rate in their cattle, avoiding large associated increases in adult size, which can reduce the ability of Braford bulls and females to function in daily conditions. By avoiding the “bigger is better” syndrome that has plagued the purebred cattle business for years, Braford breeders also avoid problems related with hard calving and market steers, which are too big to meet the needs of the industry when finished.