JUDGING BRAHMAN CATTLE
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V8 Ranch
P.O. Box 338
Boling, Texas 77420
Telephone: 979-533-2056
It's also critical to check for black pigment in four key spots on the body. All Brahman cattle should have solid black noses, hooves, tail switch, and horns. Judges need to look out for black coloring in these areas. While animals without pigment in one of these spots can still be registered, if pigment is missing in all of these areas, it can affect the animal's evaluation, and that animal will not be registered.
For example, an animal may have a black nose, black horns, and black hooves but have a white tail. While this is far from ideal, and the animal would likely not be shown due to concerns about breed character, it could still be registered with ABBA. It would probably be bred with better-pigmented animals to address the issue in future offspring.
Some Brahman cattle may have black pigment on the tips of their ears and/ or reproductive organs. Pigment in these areas is not a requirement but a personal preference amongst breeders. For example, Australian breeders may prefer Brahman cattle that are solid white in appearance. South American breeders, who often have herds of both red and grey cattle, might prefer a darker-pigmented animal because of the diversity in breeding options.
Noting the black-tipped pigmentation is a way to predict how the animal will pass on their color to their offspring. For example, Brahmans with black-tipped ears and black pigment on their reproductive organs can be bred either red or gray — meaning they produce a grey calf when bred to a grey animal or a red calf when bred to a red animal. The black pigmentation offers some diversity in breeding choices.
Among Red Brahman breeders, a deep, dark cherry red is generally considered a more desirable breed character than the lighter pigmented or “pink” color. In ABBA-approved shows, there is a “color committee” that determines whether animals display the appropriate color to be classified as red or grey. A visual appraisal is used first for the animals in question. If needed, the committee refers to the animals' pedigree to classify them
Judges should also keep an eye out for what breeders refer to as “split noses.” This would be used to describe an animal whose nose is half black and half pink. The pigmentation is usually split down the middle, with the black pigment being at the top and then fading to a pink color. Although not a disqualification, this should be a concern and mentioned in the judge's oral reasons.
BRAND IDENTIFICATION
To mark our individual animals, V8 Ranch uses a chronological sequence of numbers based on calving dates. The first V8 animal was branded as 1. Number 2 followed, and we continued sequentially until we reached number 999.
The sequence then followed with branding as 1/1 (read “One over One”), with the bottom number representing the thousands. So, animal 123/4 (“One Twenty-Three over Four”) is the 4,123rd animal born on the ranch. Brahman heifers and Brahman bulls have their own set of numbers, which means there is a Miss V8 123/4 and a Mr. V8 123/4.
As their family grew, Sloan and Mollie Williams wanted to find a way to ensure future generations would be able to continue their heritage as Brahman breeders. Each child born into the Williams family receives the best heifer calf of that year’s calf crop
Sloan and Jim wanted a way to let the children know which cattle were theirs when they drove through the pastures; they settled on shoulder brands, which can now be seen on a number of the ranch’s cattle.
You might see any of the following shoulder brands as you tour the ranch:
C P KESTABLISHED 1983
Signifies Cattle Owned by Catherine Sloan Williams Now Catherine & Luke Neumayr
ESTABLISHED
1997
Signifies Cattle Owned by Payton Sloan Powell Now Payton & Joe Dodge Jessee
ESTABLISHED
2017
Signifies Cattle Owned by Knox Harrison Neumayr
FAMILY MEMBER SHOULDER BRAND
This female has the K brand, which means she is owned by Knox Harrison Neumayr (Catherine Sloan Williams Neumayr's son)
ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
This female, Miss V8 275/9, is the 9,275th female calf born at V8 Ranch RANCH OWNERSHIP BRAND
TECHNOLOGY & STRUCTURE
New technologies, DNA markers, genomics – there are a lot of exciting developments defining the future of Brahman breeding. But it doesn't change the need to breed a durable animal that is sound on its feet and legs and able to live a long life in the pasture. Thus far, there are no scientific markers for identifiable traits like feet and legs. There is an EPD for `stayability,' but that doesn't distill "sound" or "not sound" into a simple scientific question. The goal may be to get more economical cattle that require less maintenance, but the process is not based on absolutes.
Some big cattle are easy-fleshing; so are some little cattle. Some little cattle are hard-keeping; so are some big cattle. On the whole, largeframed cattle aren't as easy-doing in the pasture, and smaller-framed cattle don't have as much performance about them.
We believe in building a herd with moderate cattle (and some just a tick larger than moderate), because nature keeps pulling the cattle back down to a smaller frame. That one larger-framed animal can change a generation by improving the frame score one level. Just stay with quality!
MATURITY
At V8, we raise cattle with performance in the long run. We embrace the youthful appearance of our young calves, knowing they will gain more thickness and muscle with maturity. As calves, their heights and weights may record lower than our competitors, but they have the performance they need at maturity. Typically, too much maturity in a juvenile calf indicates that the animal doesn't have long-term growth potential. V8 Ranch has strong visual parameters for what cattle should look like during each monthly growth stage. For example, one of our National Champion Females, Miss V8 425/5, got the gate at her first show because she didn't show as much condition and maturity as the others in her class. Two years later, at maturity, she was the National Grand Champion in Dallas.
It takes years of experience, and a trained eye, to project how cattle are going to grow. Over time, we have learned which calves will get better as they age, and which ones will work best when young, but lack competitive edge as they mature. Consider two of our sires who were full brothers: Mr. V8 191/7 and Mr. V8 194/7. Both bulls were outstanding, but different in type. As calves, 194/7 would win the class and 191/7 would stand about fourth. But at 18 months, the trend reversed. Whereas 191/7 was overpowering as a mature bull and practically unbeatable, 194/7 consistently placed third or fourth in the class because, with his quicker maturing pattern, he had a more moderate size at maturity. Conversely, Mr. V8 191/7 was a very impressive mature bull; the last time we showed him in Houston, he was named Reserve International Champion.
+MISS V8 33/8
Pictured at different stages of maturity.
TERMINOLOGY
Every breed of cattle has a certain lingo or jargon that is commonly accepted by breeders, and Brahman is no exception. The following terms are commonly used among breeders:
BLUE OR BLUE-TINGED – Refers to the animal's hide color. A blue animal will be very dark grey, almost black.
RED-TINGED – A primarily grey animal with shades of red, usually over their top line, head and shoulders, or hindquarters. A true “red-tinged” animal must have dark black pigmentation on their ears. A red-tinged animal may also have one or more red spots on their body. Many Mexican breeders do not prefer red-tinge animals with red spots or speckles.
SNOWFLAKE – An animal that is very dark pigmented with a hair coat that expresses random
specks or bursts of grey coloring, creating a ‘snowflake’ like pattern, typically over their hindquarter.
SPECKLED – Brahmans with speckled hide color exhibit numerous spots on their hide. This is more commonly seen in red cattle that may have spots of white and red. Dark-pigmented grey animals will also sometimes have speckled necks.
GRUELLA – An animal with a tan, roan, brindle, mousy hide color that lacks pigment in the areas of the nose, tail switch, and hooves. This animal is extremely undesirable and not eligible to be registered in ABBA. If by chance a gruella is presented at a show, it should be placed last.
SPELLING OF GREY
While the word grey can be spelled either ‘gray’ or ‘grey’ in the dictionary, it should be spelled “grey” when describing a color of Brahman cattle, according to the ABBA Standard of Excellence.
CONCLUSION
Brahman is one of the most significant beef breeds on a worldwide level. They are the #1 beef breed for efficiency, hybrid vigor, and environmental adaptability. The breed's influence is seen throughout herds in North America, South America, Asia, Africa, and Australia, and is extremely useful in commercial crossbreeding. Therefore, a knowledge of modern Brahman breed types is useful for all cattlemen.
For information on our ranch, visit www.v8ranch.com. We also recommend the website www.livestockjudging.com, which features web-based practice judging classes filmed at V8 Ranch.
MISS V8 472/9 "MAGIC"
The 2022 Reserve National Champion Female, is a good visual of a female that is “red-tinged” including the black tips.
MR. V8 368/9 "MAGIC MAN"
Described as a “blue” bull, however, he does not have black pigment on his tips. He was born white and changed to a blue color as he matured.
DESCRIPTIVE COLOR EXAMPLES
MR. V8 23/9 "RED ROULETTE" “Red Tinged” bull with black tips.
MISS V8 495/5 "ROSE" Red-tinged female that due to her pigment can be bred to produce either red or grey offspring.
MR. V8 23/9 "RED ROULETTE" Speckled coloring on neck, courtesy of Oden Ranch
MR. V8 322/8 Snowflake pattern on hindquarter
LIVESTOCK JUDGING WHY IS IMPORTANT?
THE DAY MAY COME WHEN THE ART OF BREEDING CATTLE CAN BE AUTOMATED, BUT TODAY, THE EYE OF THE MASTER STILL PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN PEDIGREED LIVESTOCK.
JIM
WILLIAMS, 1988
Since 1944, V8 Ranch has been owned and operated by people who make their living in the cattle industry. Timeless, practical methods are blended with modern management techniques to produce American Brahmans that perform in the pasture, show ring, and beef marketplace. V8 Ranch is proud to have one of the oldest Brahman herds in the United States, having focused on Brahman breeding for over 80 years. Performance and productivity are the foundations of our breeding program. As a result, V8 genetics are known as a dominant bloodline for improving any breeding program.
V8 Ranch is positioned to grow, develop, and adapt to a constantly changing industry. Through selection, meticulously planned matings, and proven management techniques, we continue to elevate our cattle with each generation. Females are chosen by strict guidelines that give equal importance to pedigree, progeny performance, and reproductive traits. Bulls must be structurally sound with an abundance of muscle for optimum and realistic growth, a level smooth loin and topline, desirable sheath, and Brahman breed character. We utilize carcass ultrasound and genetic testing to reveal crucial information on our cattle and to provide as much performance data as possible to our clients.
Only quality breeds quality. Using V8 genetics will improve your herd in one generation. We invite you to visit the ranch and ride through the pastures, where you’ll see some of the finest Brahman cattle in the world. Breeding age bulls and replacement females are available for sale private treaty year round. Semen is also available on many of our leading herd sires.
For more information or to schedule a ranch visit... Call 979-657-2587 or E-mail office@v8ranch.com
A member of our family will be happy to show you around at any time.
The Sloan and Mollie Williams family, taken September 2019 at their Hungerford, Texas Ranch.