logo
search-img
species-image
7.5 to 8.5 ft (2.3 to 2.6 m)
Length
4.5 to 5 ft (1.37 to 1.52 m)
Height
1,800 to 2,200 lbs (820 to 1,000 kg)
Weight (Male)
1,100 to 1,500 lbs (500 to 680 kg)
Weight (Female)

About

#Mammals

The Brangus (Bos taurus × Bos taurus indicus) is a modern hybrid cattle breed created by crossing Brahman and Anguscattle to combine the best traits of both. It belongs to the family Bovidae, which includes bison, buffalo, antelope, and goats. Developed in the United States in the early 20th century, the Brangus was selectively bred to produce high-quality beef while retaining the hardiness, heat tolerance, and disease resistance of the Brahman.

Brangus cattle are typically solid black or red, inheriting their coloration from the Angus, and they are naturally polled (hornless). They exhibit the muscular build, smooth coat, and excellent carcass quality of the Angus, alongside the loose skin, heat tolerance, and adaptability of the Brahman. Bulls generally weigh between 900–1,100 kg (2,000–2,400 lbs), while cows range from 500–700 kg (1,100–1,500 lbs).

One of the Brangus breed’s defining strengths is its adaptability. It thrives in both subtropical and temperate climates, performing well in regions with high heat, humidity, and even drought. The breed’s resistance to parasites and diseases further reduces maintenance costs for ranchers. Brangus cattle are known for producing tender, marbled beef with good flavor, making them popular in commercial beef production.

The temperament of Brangus cattle is generally calm and manageable, particularly when handled regularly from a young age. They are also long-lived, often producing calves well into their teens. Breeding standards in the United States call for animals to be 3/8 Brahman and 5/8 Angus to maintain a consistent balance of traits, though variations exist in other countries.

Today, Brangus cattle are found worldwide, especially in the Americas and Australia, and they continue to be a top choice for ranchers seeking a combination of premium beef quality and environmental adaptability.

Threatened:
Extinct
Critically Endangered
Endangered
Vulnerable
Near Threatened
Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Brangus cattle are a hybrid beef breed developed by crossing Brahma and Angus cattle, combining the heat tolerance and hardiness of the Brahma with the meat quality of the Angus:

  • Coat: Short, sleek, and typically solid black (most common) or red. The hair is fine and lies close to the body, aiding in heat dissipation.

  • Head: Polled (naturally hornless) with a broad forehead, moderate muzzle, and alert eyes.

  • Body: Muscular and well-balanced, with a deep, broad chest, strong topline, and rounded hindquarters.

  • Skin: Loose and pliable, inherited from the Brahma, which aids in heat regulation and insect resistance.

  • Ears: Medium-sized and slightly pendulous, blending the Brahma influence with Angus refinement.

  • Tail: Medium length with a full switch for insect control.

Size:

  • Length (Body): Approximately 7.5 to 8.5 ft (2.3 to 2.6 m) from head to rump.

  • Shoulder Height: Around 4.5 to 5 ft (1.37 to 1.52 m).

Weight:

  • Adult Female: Typically 1,100 to 1,500 lbs (500 to 680 kg).

  • Adult Male: Usually 1,800 to 2,200 lbs (820 to 1,000 kg).

Brangus cattle inherit the heat tolerance, disease resistance, and foraging ability of the Brahma, along with the excellent carcass quality, marbling, and tenderness of the Angus, making them a highly versatile and sought-after beef breed in warm climates.

Reproduction

Brangus cattle have strong reproductive performance, benefiting from the hybrid vigor of their Brahma and Angus ancestry:

  1. Mating and Breeding Season:

    • Capable of breeding year-round in favorable conditions.

    • Bulls remain fertile in hotter climates where some temperate breeds experience reduced fertility.

  2. Gestation:

    • The gestation period averages 283 days (about 9 months), similar to Angus and slightly shorter than Brahma.

  3. Birth and Calving:

    • Cows usually deliver a single calf, with twins being rare.

    • Calving ease is a hallmark of the breed, thanks to the Brahma’s pelvic structure and relatively moderate birth weights.

  4. Calf Characteristics at Birth:

    • Calves generally weigh 60 to 70 lbs (27 to 32 kg).

    • They are hardy, vigorous, and quick to stand and nurse after birth.

  5. Maternal Care:

    • Brangus cows are attentive mothers with good milk production, often nursing calves to weaning without supplemental feeding in favorable pasture conditions.

    • Weaning typically occurs at 6 to 8 months of age.

  6. Maturity and Breeding Readiness:

    • Heifers reach sexual maturity at 14 to 18 months, but breeding is often delayed until age 2 for optimal growth and health.

    • Bulls generally begin breeding successfully around 18 months to 2 years of age.

The Brangus’ reproductive reliability, combined with its adaptability to hot climates and disease resistance, makes it a highly productive beef breed in both tropical and subtropical ranching systems.

Lifespan

Lifespan

  • In Ranch or Pastoral Conditions:
    Brangus cattle generally live 15 to 18 years, with many cows remaining productive breeders well into their teens thanks to their hybrid vigor and Brahma-derived hardiness.

  • In Managed or Optimal Conditions:
    With high-quality nutrition, veterinary care, and protection from environmental stress, Brangus cattle can live up to 20–25 years, though commercial herds often retire animals earlier for economic reasons.

Threats to Longevity:

  • Nutritional Stress: Extended drought or poor pasture quality can reduce health and shorten lifespan.

  • Disease & Parasites: While naturally resistant to many tropical pests, unmanaged parasite loads or infectious diseases can still cause health issues.

  • Environmental Extremes: Extremely cold, wet climates without shelter may reduce longevity compared to warm or temperate environments.

  • Management Practices: Overbreeding, poor handling, or inadequate mineral supplementation can reduce natural lifespan and productivity.

The Brangus’ combination of heat tolerance, disease resistance, and adaptability often results in a longer productive life compared to many other beef breeds, especially in challenging climates.

Eating Habits

Brangus cattle are efficient grazers with dietary adaptability inherited from both their Brahma and Angus parent breeds:

  • Primary Diet:

    • Graze primarily on grasses, including both fresh pasture and mature forage.

    • Readily utilize coarse, lower-quality vegetation during dry seasons, thanks to Brahma-derived digestive efficiency.

    • Will browse weeds, shrubs, and crop residues when pasture is limited.

  • Water Needs:

    • Require consistent water access but can tolerate short periods of scarcity better than many temperate breeds.

  • Digestive Adaptations:

    • As ruminants, have a four-chambered stomach designed to ferment fibrous plants.

    • Highly efficient at extracting nutrients from forage, allowing them to maintain condition on pastures with seasonal quality changes.

  • Feeding Behavior:

    • Typically graze early morning and late afternoon, resting and ruminating in shaded areas during midday heat.

    • In managed herds, may be supplemented with hay, silage, protein supplements, and mineral blocks to optimize growth, reproduction, and carcass quality.

Brangus cattle’s ability to convert a wide range of forage into quality beef while withstanding hot climates makes them a preferred choice in tropical and subtropical beef production systems.

Uniqueness

The Brangus (Bos taurus × Bos indicus) is a purpose-bred hybrid cattle breed with several traits that make it stand out:

  • Hybrid Vigor: Developed as a cross between Brahma (3/8) and Angus (5/8), Brangus cattle combine the heat tolerance, disease resistance, and hardiness of Brahma with the meat quality, marbling, and polled trait of Angus.

  • Naturally Polled: Almost all Brangus cattle are naturally hornless, reducing injury risk in herds and eliminating the need for dehorning.

  • Heat & Insect Resistance: Loose, pigmented skin and sweat gland efficiency help them regulate body temperature and resist pests, making them ideal for tropical and subtropical climates.

  • High-Quality Beef: Produce tender, well-marbled meat that meets premium beef standards, making them competitive with top beef breeds in the market.

  • Adaptability: Thrive in both hot, humid environments and arid grazing lands while still performing well in more temperate climates.

  • Longevity & Fertility: Maintain reproductive productivity into their mid to late teens, outlasting many purebred beef breeds.

  • Global Appeal: Originally developed in the United States, Brangus are now found in ranching systems worldwide, especially in Latin America, Australia, and Africa where heat tolerance is critical.

This blend of resilience, productivity, and premium beef quality makes the Brangus a cornerstone breed for modern beef production in challenging climates.

Be the First to Share Photos of This National Park.

FAQ’s

1. What is the closest species to the Brangus?

The Brangus is a hybrid breed of domestic cattle (Bos taurus × Bos indicus), most closely related to its parent breeds—the Angus (Bos taurus) and the Brahma (Bos indicus). Other similar crossbreeds include Beefmaster and Santa Gertrudis, which also blend zebu and European cattle genetics.

2. How does the Brangus compare to other cattle breeds?

Brangus cattle combine heat tolerance, insect resistance, and longevity from the Brahma with the meat quality, marbling, and polled trait of the Angus. They outperform most European beef breeds in tropical climates while producing carcasses competitive with premium temperate breeds. Compared to pure Brahma, they mature earlier and produce more tender meat; compared to pure Angus, they are more resilient in harsh environments

3. What national parks provide the best chances to see a Brangus?

As a domesticated beef breed, Brangus are found on ranches rather than in the wild, but they can often be seen grazing near protected areas in warm cattle-producing regions, including:

  • Everglades National Park region (Florida, USA) – in surrounding ranchlands.

  • Pantanal Matogrossense National Park region (Brazil) – in nearby cattle operations.

  • Kruger National Park buffer zones (South Africa) – where ranching communities raise Brangus for both beef and breeding stock.

Related Family Species

Brangus
Brahma Cow
Brangus
Angus
Brangus
Ankole Watusi
Brangus
Banteng
Brangus
Gaur
Brangus
American Bison