Strengths and Values

Boran are extremely hardy. They are able to thrive in harsh conditions and have a high resistance to pests and disease

Boran are much better adapted to high temperatures and dry conditions than Bos taurus cattle of European origin. Their high pore density allows them to successfully regulate their body temperature. Their fine, short, glossy coats reflect sunlight and shields them from the hot sun. Their coat, and usually dark pigmented skin, protects them from sunburn and reduces their risk of developing sun cancers.

Borans continue to graze during the hot time of day and under extensive range conditions this has proved to be of great advantage. Importantly this quality transmits to offspring when crossed with traditional breeds.

External parasites, such as ticks and buffalo fly, have a significant impact on cattle health and productivity. They are difficult, costly and time consuming to manage.

The Boran has lower maintenance requirements than Bos taurus cattle. The following traits provide them with a higher level of resistance to biting insects and tick infestation. 

• A highly sensitive and motile skin –Boran have a thick, well-developed layer of subcutaneous tissue that causes the muscles beneath their skin to contract and move in reaction to insects landing on and biting them. It enables them to vigorously shake off external pests.
• A very short coat –This makes it difficult for insects to attach onto a Boran’s hide and bite.
• A waxy secretion from their skin –The secretion of an oily substance makes the Boran a less desirable host for ticks and flies.
• A long tail with a big well-formed twitch

At a time of climate instability and change the Boran is a sensible, alternative cattle breed for large and small-scale beef production, and hobby farmers.

Boran are resilient and versatile. Across Australia – in tropical, sub-tropical, and even temperate environments like Tasmania – Boran herds are found thriving.

During dry conditions, Boran cattle can tolerate periods of water and feed shortage. This is largely due to their ability to move with ease over harsh territory and to digest low quality feed. The Boran is a non-selective feeder and browser. It will graze on shrubs, trees and dry unpalatable grasses that often go untouched by other breeds.

With production costs rising all the time, high calving rates and low replacement costs are increasingly important. Boran cattle are:

• highly fertile
• exceptional mothers
• mature earlier than most other Bos indicus breeds
• noted for their longevity and meat quality.

One of the greatest attributes of the Boran is its fertility.

Boran cows produce a calf every year. Even in harsh conditions, Borans will breed and rear their calves. Calving problems hardly exist. This is due to the Boran’s pelvic conformation and a tendency to give birth to small calves.

• Male calves average 28kg.
• Female calves average 25kg.

Often referred to as the ‘mother cow of Africa’, the Boran cow is able to rear a calf of 45–50% of her own body weight at weaning. She does this through the production of plenty of milk with a high butterfat content of 4.8%.

Due to their excellent fertility, Boran have been used successfully in crossbreeding programs to improve the fertility of Cattle in Northern Australia. An evaluation of beef cattle genotypes published in the Australian Journal of Agricultural Research (2004) noted that, Boran-sired crossbred dams had higher calving success than Brahman-sired crossbreds, indicating higher fertility levels of Borans. 

Boran cows live long and productive lives. It is not unusual for a cow to be healthy and fertile into her teens. This means a low replacement of the breeding herd.

Boran bulls tend to remain active and fertile until well over ten years of age.

A 2015 Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) report concluded that the demand for organic beef far outweighed domestic and export supply. Boran cattle are ideal for the production of organic, grass-fed beef as they have:

• tolerance to internal and external parasites
• low input costs.

Boran may be fattened off grass and other forage due to their tremendous rumen capacity and browsing ability. Their typical dressed weight off grass is 230-260 kg with a 52% dressing percentage.

 Boran cattle are noted for their exceptional beef quality.

The beef quality from these animals is exquisite. It is very fine-grained, tender with a small amount of marbling and very flavoursome. _{Charlie Cox, Roseclaren Boran Stud (2009)}

This is supported by trials conducted in Nebraska, USA. These showed that Boran meat had superior tenderness, carcass marbling and a larger rib eye area than that of other Zebu cattle.

An important quality of the Boran is its ability to transmit hybrid vigour to the progeny of traditional beef breeds. Hybrid vigour is maximised as the Boran has been genetically isolated from the traditional breeds for over 1300 years. Using Boran bulls for crossbreeding is the quickest way to of improving the commercial potential of many beef herds.

Research validates this with the Clay Centre research indicating that out of the animals in the trial the Boran crosses had the highest percentage of calves born, lowest mortality to weaning and the highest weaning weight per 100 kg cow weight. Additionally in the “Australian Farm Journal” July 1996  John Frisch stated “F1 cows crossed to Boran bulls produced the greatest weight of calf weaned per 100 kg cow joined, than all other genotypes in the Belmont evaluation.”

Boran cattle have a quiet temperament and a very strong herd instinct.

Boran have a wonderful nature and an affinity for people.

Boran are recognised for their calm, quiet disposition. Their docile and often friendly behaviour makes them easy to handle. They are curious, sociable and seem to genuinely enjoy the company of people.

Boran cattle are a docile and tractable breed which means easier handling and less stress at marketing time.

The Boran is an animal that grows on you, and each and everyone has a distinct personality.

Boran cattle have a close and protective bond with their herd. They tend to stay together as a group, making them easy to manage.

The strong herd instinct of Boran cattle also gives them an advantage over predators. In particular, the herd is very protective of its calves. When threatened the herd closes around them to keep them safe. During the day, the cows and young heifers take it in turns to look after the calves in nursery groups.